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A hybrid of A. capillus-veneris and an unknown species, discovered at the nursery of Mairis and Co. in 1885.
It is sterile and can be propagated only by division but time and modern technology have made it more freely available. Seems to be hardy under reasonable conditions. I bought it from Longacre Plants and their label said: "A very beautiful and graceful fern with delicate arching pale green fronds." Edulis say: "Adiantum × mairisii is a particularly elegant hardy maidenhair fern, with a rather fascinating Victorian history. This sterile hybrid was raised at Mairis & Co. Nursery in England before 1885, apparently involving Adiantum capillus-veneris and an unidentified second species, with A. raddianum and A. aethiopicum suggested as possible parents. It was subsequently named by the eminent fern specialist Thomas Moore, curator of Chelsea Physic Garden, who described it in the nineteenth century. The hybrid is notable for being considerably hardier than its presumed parents, while retaining the exquisite, finely divided foliage that makes maidenhair ferns so irresistible. The arching fronds are carried on slender, almost black wiry stipes, each bearing delicate bright-green fan-shaped leaflets. It slowly spreads by creeping rhizomes to form a graceful colony, rather than a congested clump, and is generally deciduous in colder winters. In cultivation, give it humus-rich, moisture-retentive but well-drained soil in partial to full shade, with protection from drying winds. It appreciates regular moisture through summer, but dislikes stagnant winter wet. A superb fern for the front of a woodland border, shaded rockery or as an underplanting beneath shrubs. The old name Adiantum capillus-veneris ‘Mairisii’ is still encountered in horticulture, but the hybrid name A. × mairisii is the more appropriate treatment. " Plant Delights Nursery say: "Not to be confused with the Chinese Adiantum mariesii, this reported hybrid of Adiantum capillus-veneris and an unknown baby daddy was discovered around 1885 at the UK's Mairis & Co. Nursery and subsequently named by Chelsea Physic Garden Curator and fern collector Thomas Moore. Adiantum x mairisii performs like a vigorous clone of southern maidenhair fern but with very good winter hardiness. Expect a 3' wide deer-resistant patch of 20" tall, lacy maidenhair foliage in 5 years (NC). Our plants thrive in half day sun, as long as the ground doesn't stay bone dry. Our first experience with the sterile Adiantum x mairisii was in 1993, thanks to a gift from the late fern collector Nancy Swell of Virginia." |
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| 15th April 2013 | ||
