Athyrium filix-femina Lady in Lace (Lady Fern)

Resembling parsley, Athyrium filix-Femina ‘Lady in Lace’ (Lady Fern) is a small deciduous fern forming a clump of upright fronds, heavily frilled and ruffled.

Resembling parsley, Athyrium filix-Femina ‘Lady in Lace’ (Lady Fern) is a small deciduous fern forming a clump of upright fronds, heavily frilled and ruffled. Easy to grow and perfect for filling gaps between shrubs or under trees. Plant this interesting fern in drifts and underplant with small, early flowering bulbs, such as snowdrops (Galanthus), as these will appear before the fronds, extending the season of interest of your planting.

  • Recipient of the prestigious Award of Garden Merit of the Royal Horticultural Society for its outstanding qualities.
  • Grows up to 14 in. tall (35 cm) and 12 in. wide (30 cm).
  • Performs best in part shade to full shade in fertile, humus-rich, neutral to acid, moist, but well-drained soils. Do not allow the soil to dry out. Provide a sheltered location.
  • This plant is a great choice for shady beds and borders, underplanting shrubs or roses, cottage gardens or rock gardens.
  • No serious pest or disease issues. Deer and rabbit resistant.
  • Dead or damaged fronds may be removed as necessary.
  • Propagate by sowing spores (may not come true) in mid to late summer or by division in spring.
  • Athyrium filix-femina species is native to the temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere

Requirements

Hardiness 4
– 9

Heat Zones 1
– 9

Climate Zones 1, 1A, 1B, 2, 2A, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, A1, A2, A3
Plant Type Ferns
Plant Family Athyrium – Lady Ferns
Exposure Partial Sun, Shade
Season of Interest Spring (Mid,Late)Summer (Early,Mid,Late)Fall
Height 1'
– 2'
(30cm
– 60cm)
Spread 10"
– 1'
(25cm
– 30cm)
Spacing 12″ (30cm)
Water Needs Average
Maintenance Low
Soil Type Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained
Characteristics Plant of Merit, Showy
Tolerance Clay Soil, Deer, Rabbit
Garden Uses Beds and Borders, Underplanting Roses and Shrubs
Garden Styles Gravel and Rock Garden, Informal and Cottage