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Description
Maidenhair spleenwort is a lime-loving fern found on rocks and old walls. The fronds, which form rosettes, are long and slender and are divided into rounded leaflets arranged along a glossy black midrib. Although this is an evergreen fern, when the fronds decay the leaflets fall off leaving the wiry hair-like midrib for up to a year, hence the English name.
This pretty fern is ideal for a vertical or sloping crevice in a rockery or wall. Plant it in a compost of equal parts leaf mould, loam and mortar rubble for best results. The fern spreads by means of spores, rather than flowers, so if it is planted in a suitable place, new crowns should establish themselves naturally.
Few invertebrates are associated with ferns and their role in gardening with wildlife in mind is therefore rather limited. Ladybirds may shelter among the fronds
IMAGES 22349 (C) 2008 COLIN DUKE
IMAGES 22352 (C) 2008 COLIN DUKE
IMAGES 23554 (C) 2008 COLIN DUKE
IMAGES 22355 (C) 2008 COLIN DUKE
