Athyrium
Lady Fern, Eared Lady Fern, European Lady Fern, Japanese Painted Fern, Painted Lady Fern, Northern Lady Fern, Athyrium filix-femina, Athyrium niponicum, Athyrium otophorum (Athyrium)
Prized by gardeners, Athyrium are mostly deciduous ferns, with feathery, finely divided foliage in a wonderful array of colors and forms. The genus includes about 180 species that are suitable to a wide range of garden conditions, including shady borders and woodland gardens, alongside other ferns or shade-loving plants. They can be grown as houseplants or in greenhouses.
- Athyrium are native to moist woodland and forests in temperate and tropical regions around the globe.
- Athyrium range from spreading ground-huggers 6 in. tall (15 cm), which are perfect for containers and small spaces, to stately specimens reaching 6 ft. in height (180 cm).
- Their graceful fronds rise from erect or creeping rhizomes and unfurl& from a central crown in spring. They are available in a delightful array of textures and shades including purple, blue-gray, silvery or green.
Click here to see all Athyrium varieties
How to grow Athyrium
- Athyrium perform best in moist, but not waterlogged, neutral to acidic soil, in shade or partial shade.
- Athyrium like damp conditions. Provide additional watering in prolonged hot, dry spells. If planted in containers, your fern also requires regular watering throughout the growing season, as the small amount of compost dries out rapidly.
- Athyrium are not suitable for exposed, windy areas of the garden. Shelter them from strong winds and frost pockets.
- Locate them away from high-traffic areas. The delicate fronds lack the strengthening tissue of other ferns. They are fragile and can be easily snapped.
- Athyrium can be used in beds and borders, city gardens, cottage gardens, containers, or underplanting shrubs and roses.
- Plant in autumn or spring when the soil is naturally moist.
- Make sure you give your ferns plenty of space so they can unfurl fully and be displayed to their full potential.
- Mulch with a thick layer of composted bark or leaf mold, to hold in moisture. Do not cover the crown of the plant, as this could lead to rotting.
- Remove any dead or tatty fronds in spring, before the new fronds unfurl. Clear away any accumulated debris too, to ensure good air circulation.
- Propagate by division or from spores. The easiest way to propagate Athyriums is by dividing the clump.
- No serious pest or disease issues.
Guide Information
| Hardiness |
4 - 9
|
|---|---|
| Climate Zones | 1, 2, 3, 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 | 6" - 6' (15cm - 180cm) |
| Water Needs | Average |
| Maintenance | Low |
| Soil Type | Clay, Loam, Sand |
| Soil pH | Acid, Neutral |
| Soil Drainage | Moist but Well-Drained |
| Landscaping Ideas | Beds and Borders, Patio and Containers, Underplanting Roses and Shrubs |
| Garden Styles | City and Courtyard, Informal and Cottage |
Not sure which Athyrium - Lady Ferns to pick?
Compare All Athyrium - Lady Ferns Guides with Athyrium - Lady Ferns
Compare All Athyrium - Lady Ferns Guides with Athyrium - Lady Ferns
Recommended Companion Plants
Ken Schulze, Shutterstock
While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.
Guide Information
| Hardiness |
4 - 9
|
|---|---|
| Climate Zones | 1, 2, 3, 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 | 6" - 6' (15cm - 180cm) |
| Water Needs | Average |
| Maintenance | Low |
| Soil Type | Clay, Loam, Sand |
| Soil pH | Acid, Neutral |
| Soil Drainage | Moist but Well-Drained |
| Landscaping Ideas | Beds and Borders, Patio and Containers, Underplanting Roses and Shrubs |
| Garden Styles | City and Courtyard, Informal and Cottage |
Compare All Athyrium - Lady Ferns Guides with Athyrium - Lady Ferns
Related Items
Garden
A Romantic Spring Garden Idea with Peonies, Irises and Flower Bulbs
This romantic and delicate planting includes mostly chalk...
Garden
A Charming Plant Combination for Shady Gardens: Candelabra Primroses, Fern and Bugle
An easy and remarkable scenery to enjoy in mid to late...
