Athyrium niponicum var. pictum
Japanese painted fern
This fern is deciduous so all its fronds will die back in autumn, then fresh new growth appears again each spring.
- Position: full or partial shade
- Soil: moist, fertile, neutral to acid soil
- Rate of growth: average
- Hardiness: fully hardy
This elegant, deciduous fern has deeply cut, greyish-green fronds effused with silver and purple. An excellent companion for shade-loving woodland plants it provides long-lasting foliage interest for a shady, sheltered patio or courtyard garden with moist, fertile, neutral to acid soil. - Garden care: Incorporate lots of well-rotted leaf mould, composted pine needles or garden compost into the planting hole. In cold areas in late autumn protect the crown of the plant with a dry mulch of straw or bracken.