Named for the way the black, wiry stems look when they are matted down at the end of winter, the Maidenhair fern also has a more slightly-vulgar common name – the Five-Finger Fern. Why not just call it a Hand Fern and destroy its reputation completely? No matter – the beauty and delicate appearance of this fern makes it my all-time favorite – and such an elegant and dainty look is merely a mask, as this beast is as hardy as any other fern in the forest. I love when things are pretty and deceptively-strong.
This fern is a clump former – gradually spreading out into sizable masses that are happy to be divided and planted about the garden. Again, it’s hardier than you think, and its divided leaflets render even the strongest of wind gusts harmless. A pretty strong thing that is so gleefully dismissive of brute force is a thing of beauty indeed. Don’t fuck with this maiden.
