Create Your Garden

Athyrium otophorum (Eared Lady Fern)

Eared Lady Fern, Auriculate Lady Fern, English Painted Fern, Asplenium otophorum

Athyrium otophorum, Eared Lady Fern, Asplenium otophorum, Shade plants, shade perennial, plants for shade, plants for wet soil
Athyrium otophorum, Eared Lady Fern, Asplenium otophorum, Shade plants, shade perennial, plants for shade, plants for wet soil

A dramatic addition to the garden, Athyrium otophorum (Eared Lady Fern) is a small deciduous fern forming a tuft of erect to arching, triangular, bipinnate fronds with reddish to purplish stems. Emerging pale silver and greenish gold throughout the growing season, the delicate fronds mature to dark green, giving the foliage a multicolor effect. Easy to grow and perfect for filling gaps between shrubs or under trees, Eared Lady Fern is a well-behaved, clumping fern that is right at home in woodland gardens combined with blue and gold hostas.

  • Recipient of the prestigious Award of Garden Merit of the Royal Horticultural Society for its outstanding qualities.
  • Grows up to 18 in. tall and wide (45 cm).
  • Performs best in part shade to full shade in preferably neutral or 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, cottage gardens or woodland gardens.
  • No serious pest or disease issues. Rabbit resistant.
  • Dead or damaged fronds may be removed as necessary.
  • Propagate by division in spring or propagate from spores. Sow spores as soon as ripe at 59-68°F (15-20°C) in a humid environment with indirect light.
  • Native to Japan and east Asia.

Requirements

Hardiness 5 - 9
Heat Zones 2 - 8
Climate Zones 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
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 18" - 24"
(50cm - 60cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Average
Soil Type Clay, Loam
Soil pH Acid, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained
Characteristics Plant of Merit, Showy
Tolerance Full Shade, Rabbit
Garden Uses Beds And Borders
Garden Styles Informal and Cottage
How Many Plants
Do I Need?
Learn Now
Guides with
Athyrium
Not sure which Athyrium to pick?
Compare Now

Alternative Plants to Consider

Athyrium niponicum 'Godzilla', Athyrium 'Godzilla', Giant Japanese Painted Fern, Shade plants, shade perennial, plants for shade, plants for wet soil
Athyrium niponicum 'Crested Surf', Athyrium 'Crested Surf', Crested Japanese Painted Fern, Athyrium 'Crested Surf', Shade plants, shade perennial, plants for shade, plants for wet soil
Athyrium Filix-Femina  'Lady in Red', Lady in Red Lady Fern, Athyrium angustum 'Lady in Red', Athyrium niponicum 'Lady in Red', Athyrium filix-femina subsp. angustum f. rubellum 'Lady in Red', Shade plants, shade perennial, plants for shade, plants for wet soil
Athyrium filix-femina 'Frizelliae', Tatting Fern 'Frizelliae', 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
Athyrium Niponicum var. Pictum 'Burgundy Lace',Painted Lady Fern 'Burgundy Lace', Japanese Painted Fern 'v', Athyrium niponicum 'Burgundy Lace', Shade plants, shade perennial, plants for shade, plants for wet soil,

Recommended Companion Plants

Lychnis Flos-Cuculi 'Petite Jenny', Ragged Robin 'Petite Jenny', Pink Flowers, Double Ragged Robin
Papaver Rhoeas , Common Poppy, Corn Poppy, Corn Rose, Field Poppy, Flanders Poppy, Red Poppy, Red Weed, Coquelicot, Papaver Commutatum, Papaver Strigosum, Red flowers
Astilbe x Arendsii 'Fanal', Astilbe Fanal information, Fanal Astilbe information, False Spirea Fanal information, Red astilbe, AGM Astilbe
Astrantia Major 'Roma', Masterwort 'Roma', Great Masterwort 'Roma', Melancoly Gentleman 'Roma', Hattie's Pincushion 'Roma', summer perennial, pink flowers

Find In One of Our Guides or Gardens

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.
Buy Plants

Requirements

Hardiness 5 - 9
Heat Zones 2 - 8
Climate Zones 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
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 18" - 24"
(50cm - 60cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Average
Soil Type Clay, Loam
Soil pH Acid, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained
Characteristics Plant of Merit, Showy
Tolerance Full Shade, Rabbit
Garden Uses Beds And Borders
Garden Styles Informal and Cottage
How Many Plants
Do I Need?
Learn Now
Guides with
Athyrium
Not sure which Athyrium to pick?
Compare Now

Gardening Ideas

Plant Calculator

How many Athyrium otophorum (Eared Lady Fern) do I need for my garden?

Input your garden space dimensions

Your Shopping List

Plant Quantity
Athyrium otophorum (Eared Lady Fern) N/A Buy Plants

Please Login to Proceed

You Have Reached The Free Limit, Please Subscribe to Proceed

Subscribe to Gardenia

To create additional collections, you must be a paid member of Gardenia
  • Add as many plants as you wish
  • Create and save up to 25 garden collections
Become a Member

Plant Added Successfully

You have Reached Your Limit

To add more plants, you must be a paid member of our site Become a Member

Update Your Credit
Card Information

Cancel

Create a New Collection

Sign Up to Our Newsletter

    You have been subscribed successfully

    Join Gardenia.net

    Create a membership account to save your garden designs and to view them on any device.

    Becoming a contributing member of Gardenia is easy and can be done in just a few minutes. If you provide us with your name, email address and the payment of a modest $25 annual membership fee, you will become a full member, enabling you to design and save up to 25 of your garden design ideas.

    Join now and start creating your dream garden!

    Join Gardenia.net

    Create a membership account to save your garden designs and to view them on any device.

    Becoming a contributing member of Gardenia is easy and can be done in just a few minutes. If you provide us with your name, email address and the payment of a modest $25 annual membership fee, you will become a full member, enabling you to design and save up to 25 of your garden design ideas.

    Join now and start creating your dream garden!

    Find your Hardiness Zone

    Find your Heat Zone

    Find your Climate Zone