- Botanical name: Asplenium trichomanes
- Common name: Maidenhair spleenwort
- Family: Aspleniaceae
- Plant Type: Perennial, Evergreen
Green
- Key features:
- Dramatic foliage
- Low maintenance plant
Asplenium trichomanes, commonly known as the maidenhair spleenwort, is a small, evergreen fern with a huge native distribution, including Europe, Asia, North America, Central and South America. A number of sub-species exist, each suited to growing in varying growing conditions, often in well-drained, rocky habitats.
In the garden, Asplenium trichomanes is fantastic for growing in rockeries, in brick and stone walls or among stepping stones in shady spots.
For best results, grow Asplenium trichomanes in partial to full shade in moist, humus-rich, well-drained soil, or transfer young plants to a shady, ideally limestone wall, as they enjoy alkaline conditions. Keep plants tidy by snipping off dead, dried fronds. It’s been awarded the Royal Horticultural Society’s prestigious Award of Garden Merit.
How to grow Asplenium trichomanes
-
Plant size
50cm height
50cm spread
-
Aspect
North facing, east facing
-
Position in border
Front
- Sun exposure: Dappled shade, partial shade, full shade
- Shade type: Damp
- Hardiness: Hardy
- Soil type: Well drained / light / sandy / clay / heavy / moist / chalky / alkaline
Plant calendar
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sow | ||||||||||||
| Sow |
J
Do not Sow in January |
F
Do not Sow in February |
M
Do not Sow in March |
A
Do not Sow in April |
M
Do not Sow in May |
J
Do not Sow in June |
J
Do Sow in July |
A
Do Sow in August |
S
Do not Sow in September |
O
Do not Sow in October |
N
Do not Sow in November |
D
Do not Sow in December |
| Plant | ||||||||||||
| Plant |
J
Do not Plant in January |
F
Do not Plant in February |
M
Do Plant in March |
A
Do Plant in April |
M
Do Plant in May |
J
Do not Plant in June |
J
Do not Plant in July |
A
Do not Plant in August |
S
Do Plant in September |
O
Do Plant in October |
N
Do Plant in November |
D
Do not Plant in December |
| Divide | ||||||||||||
| Divide |
J
Do not Divide in January |
F
Do not Divide in February |
M
Do Divide in March |
A
Do Divide in April |
M
Do Divide in May |
J
Do not Divide in June |
J
Do not Divide in July |
A
Do not Divide in August |
S
Do not Divide in September |
O
Do not Divide in October |
N
Do not Divide in November |
D
Do not Divide in December |
Asplenium trichomanes and wildlife
Asplenium trichomanes has no particular known value to wildlife in the UK.
Is Asplenium trichomanes poisonous?
Asplenium trichomanes has no toxic effects reported.
No reported toxicity to Birds
No reported toxicity to Cats
No reported toxicity to Dogs
No reported toxicity to Horses
No reported toxicity to Livestock
No reported toxicity to People
