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Athyrium filix-femina ‘Lady in Lace’ (Lady Fern)

Lady Fern 'Lady in Lace'

AGM Award
Athyrium filix-femina 'Lady in Lace', Lady Fern 'Lady in Lace', Shade plants, shade perennial, plants for shade, plants for wet soil
Athyrium filix-femina 'Lady in Lace', Lady Fern 'Lady in Lace', Shade plants, shade perennial, plants for shade, plants for wet soil

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 Athyriaceae
Genus Athyrium
Common names Fern, Lady Fern
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)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Average
Soil Type Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained
Characteristics Plant of Merit, Showy
Tolerance Full Shade, Deer, Rabbit, Clay Soil
Garden Uses Beds And Borders, Underplanting Roses And Shrubs
Garden Styles Gravel and Rock Garden, Informal and Cottage
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Alternative Plants to Consider

Athyrium otophorum (Eared Lady Fern)
Athyrium niponicum ‘Godzilla’ (Japanese Painted Fern)
Athyrium niponicum ‘Crested Surf’ (Japanese Painted Fern)
Athyrium filix-femina var. angustum ‘Lady in Red’ (Lady Fern)
Athyrium filix-femina ‘Frizelliae’ (Tatting Fern)
Athyrium niponicum var. pictum ‘Burgundy Lace’ (Painted Lady Fern)

Recommended Companion Plants

Lychnis flos-cuculi ‘Petite Jenny’ (Ragged Robin)
Papaver rhoeas (Flanders Poppy)
Astilbe ‘Fanal’ (Arendsii Hybrid)
Astrantia major ‘Roma’ (Great Masterwort)

Find In One of Our Guides or Gardens

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30 Great Perennials for Shade
Athyrium (Lady Fern)
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.
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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 Athyriaceae
Genus Athyrium
Common names Fern, Lady Fern
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)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Average
Soil Type Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained
Characteristics Plant of Merit, Showy
Tolerance Full Shade, Deer, Rabbit, Clay Soil
Garden Uses Beds And Borders, Underplanting Roses And Shrubs
Garden Styles Gravel and Rock Garden, Informal and Cottage
How Many Plants
Do I Need?
Not sure which Athyrium (Lady Fern) to pick?
Compare Now

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