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Athyrium niponicum var. pictum ‘Metallicum’ (Painted Lady Fern)

Painted Lady Fern 'Metallicum', Japanese Painted Fern 'Metallicum', Athyrium niponicum 'Metallicum', Athyrium goeringianum 'Pictum'

Athyrium Niponicum var. Pictum 'Metallicum',Painted Lady Fern 'Metallicum', Japanese Painted Fern 'Metallicum', Athyrium niponicum 'Metallicum', Athyrium goeringianum 'Pictum', Shade plants, shade perennial, plants for shade, plants for wet soil, Silver Foliage Plant

Truly ornamental, Athyrium niponicum var. pictum ‘Metallicum’ (Japanese Painted Fern) is a very elegant deciduous fern forming a pretty rosette of arching, strikingly refined, lance-shaped, bipinnate fronds. The fronds are silvery gray, almost metallic, with green highlights and subtle burgundy veination. Slowly spreading, this fern is perfect for lightening up a dark or shady garden area. Low maintenance, pest and disease free.

  • Clump-forming, it easily grows up to 12-18 in. tall and wide (30-45 cm). This plant naturalizes well and can form great colonies if happy.
  • 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.

Requirements

Hardiness 4 - 9
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 Athyriaceae
Genus Athyrium
Common names Japanese Painted Fern, Fern
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)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Average
Soil Type Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained
Characteristics Showy
Tolerance Full Shade, Deer, Rabbit, Clay Soil, Wet Soil
Garden Uses Beds And Borders, Ponds And Streams, Underplanting Roses And Shrubs
Garden Styles Traditional Garden, Informal and Cottage, Gravel and Rock Garden, City and Courtyard
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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 filix-femina ‘Lady in Lace’ (Lady Fern)

Recommended Companion Plants

Helleborus Winter Jewels ‘Harlequin Gem’ (Hellebore)
Hosta ‘First Frost’ (Plantain Lily)
Astrantia major ‘Roma’ (Great Masterwort)
Hyacinthoides hispanica ‘Excelsior’ (Spanish Bluebells)

Find In One of Our Guides or Gardens

Best Foliage Plants for Your Garden
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 - 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 Athyriaceae
Genus Athyrium
Common names Japanese Painted Fern, Fern
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)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Average
Soil Type Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained
Characteristics Showy
Tolerance Full Shade, Deer, Rabbit, Clay Soil, Wet Soil
Garden Uses Beds And Borders, Ponds And Streams, Underplanting Roses And Shrubs
Garden Styles Traditional Garden, Informal and Cottage, Gravel and Rock Garden, City and Courtyard
How Many Plants
Do I Need?
Not sure which Athyrium (Lady Fern) to pick?
Compare Now

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