Athyrium niponicum var. pictum (Painted Lady Fern)
Noted for its superb elegance, Athyrium niponicum var. pictum (Japanese Painted Fern) is a very pretty deciduous fern forming a large rosette of arching, strikingly refined, lance-shaped, bipinnate fronds.
Noted for its superb elegance, Athyrium niponicum var. pictum (Japanese Painted Fern) is a very pretty deciduous fern forming a large rosette of arching, strikingly refined, lance-shaped, bipinnate fronds. The fronds are soft blue-green with a silvery overlay accented by contrasting dark burgundy midribs. Slowly spreading, this fern is easy to grow and one of the most rewarding ferns. Low maintenance, pest and disease free.
- Clump-forming, it easily grows up to 12-18 in. tall (30-45 cm) and 18-24 in. wide (45-60 cm). This plant naturalizes well and can form great colonies if happy.
- Recipient of the prestigious Award of Garden Merit of the Royal Horticultural Society for its outstanding qualities
- A part to full shade lover, it is best grown in fertile, humus-rich, medium moisture, well-drained soils. Do not allow the soil to dry out. Provide a sheltered location.
- This plant is a great choice for shady beds, borders, underplanting of shrubs, cottage gardens, woodlands or along streams, ponds or water gardens.
- Rabbit, deer, clay, and wet soil tolerant!
- Dead or damaged fronds may be removed as necessary.
- Propagate from spores as soon as ripe or divide in spring
- Native to northeastern Asia
Requirements
| Hardiness | 3 – 8 |
|---|---|
| Heat Zones | 1 – 8 |
| 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 |
| 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 | 1' – 2' (30cm – 60cm) |
| Spacing | 24″ (60cm) |
| 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, Ponds and Streams, Underplanting Roses and Shrubs |
| Garden Styles | City and Courtyard, Gravel and Rock Garden, Informal and Cottage, Traditional Garden |