Description:

A free floating aquatic perennial fern that forms spreading moss-like mats quite rapidly; bright green foliage takes on rose tints in full sun, and turns reddish-purple in cooler fall weather; a popular addition to ponds, water features, and aquariums

Ornamental Features

Mosquito Fern is primarily valued in the garden for its broadly spreading habit of growth. Its tiny leaves are bluish-green in colour with distinctive silver edges and tinges of rose. The foliage often turns brick red and in fall.

Landscape Attributes

Mosquito Fern is a dense herbaceous perennial with a ground-hugging habit of growth. It brings an extremely fine and delicate texture to the garden composition and should be used to full effect.

This is a relatively low maintenance plant, and may require the occasional pruning to look its best. It has no significant negative characteristics.

Mosquito Fern is recommended for the following landscape applications;

• Water Gardens

Planting & Growing

Mosquito Fern will grow to be only 1 inch tall at maturity, with a spread of 3 feet. Its foliage tends to remain low and dense right to the ground. It grows at a fast rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 5 years. As an herbaceous perennial, this plant will usually die back to the crown each winter, and will regrow from the base each spring. Be careful not to disturb the crown in late winter when it may not be readily seen!

This plant does best in full sun to partial shade. It is an excellent choice for very wet locations or locations with some standing water. It is not particular as to soil type or pH. It is quite intolerant of urban pollution, therefore inner city or urban streetside plantings are best avoided. This species is native to parts of North America. It can be propagated by division.