Athyrium Ghost (Lady Fern)

Noted for its strong vase shape with distinctly upright fronds, Athyrium Ghost’ (Lady Fern) is an elegant deciduous fern forming a pretty rosette of arching, ghostly silvery gray fronds accented by contrasting dark red-purple midribs. Slowly spreading, this fern is easy to grow and lovely when paired with hostas and heucheras.

Noted for its strong vase shape with distinctly upright fronds, Athyrium Ghost' (Lady Fern) is an elegant deciduous fern forming a pretty rosette of arching, ghostly silvery gray fronds accented by contrasting dark red-purple midribs. Slowly spreading, this fern is easy to grow and lovely when paired with hostas and heucheras. This hybrid fern has acquired its silvery foliage from its Japanese-painted fern parent (Athyrium niponicum var. pictum) and upright habit from its lady fern parent (Athyrium filix-femina).

  • Recipient of the prestigious Award of Garden Merit of the Royal Horticultural Society for its outstanding qualities
  • Clump-forming, it easily grows up to 2-3 ft. tall and wide (60-90 cm). This plant naturalizes well and can form great colonies if happy.
  • Thrives in part to full shade, in fertile, humus-rich, moist, well-drained soils. The best silvery frond color occurs in light shade. More tolerant of drier soils than most other ferns, but soils must not be allowed to dry out. Provide a sheltered location.
  • This plant is a great choice for shady beds, borders, underplanting of shrubs, cottage gardens, and woodlands.
  • Rabbit, deer, clay, and wet soil tolerant!
  • Low maintenance, virtually pest, and disease free.
  • Dead or damaged fronds may be removed as necessary.
  • Propagate by division in spring

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 2'
– 3'
(60cm
– 90cm)
Spread 2'
– 3'
(60cm
– 90cm)
Spacing 36″ (90cm)
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, Wet Soil
Garden Uses Beds and Borders, Patio and Containers, Underplanting Roses and Shrubs
Garden Styles City and Courtyard, Informal and Cottage