Herbaceous perennial Description: Finely-textured fronds composed of many leaflets that hang like fingers from a dark, wiry-forked stalk. Habit: Grows 10" to 30" tall and up to 18" wide Culture: Prefers moist, shady woods with humus rich soil Hardiness: Cold hardy to USDA Zone 3 Origin: North America This North American species is native from Nova Scotia to British Columbia and south to Georgia and Arkansas. Although delicate in appearance, this beautiful fern transplants easily and spreads quickly to create a voluminous, soft green groundcover. The Swedish naturalist Peter Kalm observed in Travels in North America (1753) that "the English in their plantations call it 'maiden hair'; it grows in all their North American colonies." The fronds were considered superior to European species for use in surgery and large quantities were shipped to France during the late 18th century. This plant will ship bare root. Arrives as a Heavy Clump.Bare root planting tips: If you can't plant immediately, store your plant in a cool location and keep the roots moist or pot in a container with a nursery potting mix from your local garden center. Before planting, let the roots soak for several hours as you prepare the site. You'll want to dig a large enough hole so the root mass can spread out and the plant is at the same soil level as when it was growing in the nursery. Once planted, water it in well and wait a month before fertilizing. Mulching will help to maintain moisture and raise soil temperatures for faster growth.
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