Adiantum raddianum 'Kensington Gem'

RHS Plant Profile

Delta maidenhair fern 'Kensington Gem'

Ferns

A tender, evergreen fern about 80cm tall, bearing broad, arching, black-stalked, light green fronds with unusually long segment stalks, to 10mm, with toothed, deeply lobed, overlapping segments, the terminal segments congested

Position

Partial shade

Soil Types

Loam

Max Height

0.1-0.5 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 2–5 years
Max Spread: 0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height: 0.1-0.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Loam

Moisture: Moist but well–drained
pH: Neutral or Alkaline or Acid

Position

Partial shade

Aspect: West–facing or East–facing or North–facing
Exposure: Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20): H1C

Colour & Scent

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Pteridaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Semi evergreen, Evergreen
Habit: Clump forming
Genus: Adiantum can be deciduous or evergreen ferns with shiny black stalks bearing simple or more usually pinnately divided fronds, the segments fan-shaped, oblong or rounded, carrying spores under reflexed marginal flaps
Name Status: Accepted

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow as a house or conservatory plant indoors in a peat-free houseplant compost. Position the container in bright, indirect light with good ventilation. Water freely and apply a half strength, general liquid feed monthly from mid spring to late summer. Provide high humidity by placing the container on a tray of moist gravel or pebbles. Water sparingly in winter. See how to grow ferns as houseplants for further information

Propagation

Propagate by division of rhizomes in spring

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Houseplants
Conservatory and greenhouse

Pruning

Can trim back any faded growth in winter if required or wait for new growth to start emerging in spring.

Pests

May be susceptible to scale insects

Diseases

Generally disease-free