Himalayan maidenhair

An intricate ground-level fern, best appreciated at a slower pace.

Form & character

A creeping rhizome carries fronds made up of small fan-shaped segments. The plant is deciduous in some conditions and nearly evergreen in mild places. Older foliage may take on rusty-brown tones.

A place to grow

Choose a shaded position with moist, well-drained soil. Climate matters when interpreting the common name "evergreen maidenhair": it does not promise unchanged foliage through every winter.

A detail to notice

Look for the shape of each individual segment and the spaces between them. A simple outline drawing can reveal more than an over-detailed sketch.