Find a plant:

OR Browse All Plants


{name}

Athyrium niponicum 'Pictum' (Japanese painted fern)

Athyrium niponicum 'Pictum' Photo/Illustration: Michelle Gervais

(Based on 2 user reviews)

Rate this plant

Hardiness Zones: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11
Botanical Name: Athyrium niponicum 'Pictum' ah-THEER-ee-um nih-PON-ih-kum Common Name: Japanese painted fern Synonyms: Athyrium niponicum var. pictum, f. metalicum Genus: Athyrium
This fern has cool, grey-green, almost silvery, foliage and reddish-purple stalks that are useful for brightening dark spots in borders. It is deciduous, and although it reaches only 8 to 12 inches in height, it is easy to grow, prolific, and easily divided.
 Noteworthy characteristics: It forms a tight, hardy ground cover when plants are placed about 1 foot apart. Athyrium niponicum ‘Pictum’ was the 2004 Perennial Plant of the Year.
 Care: Provide light to full shade and well-drained, rich, moist soil, preferably in a humid environment.
 Propagation: Divide in spring.
 Problems: Prone to rust.
Height 6 in. to 12 in.
Growth Habit Clumps
Light Part Shade to Full Shade
Moisture Medium Moisture
Maintenance Low
Characteristics Showy Foliage
Foliage Color Colorful/Burgundy Foliage
Uses Beds and Borders, Ground Covers, Indoor Plant
Style Shade, Woodland Garden
Seasonal Interest Spring Interest, Summer Interest, Fall Interest
Type Fern

Plants you might also like

Athyrium niponicum var. pictum 'Ursula's Red' Athyrium niponicum var. pictum 'Ursula's Red'
('Ursula's Red' Japanese painted fern) (1 user review)
Hardiness Zones: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

All painted fern varieties have broad silvery leaves, but ‘Ursula’s Red’ differs in that the centers of its leaves have a wide, showy burgundy band in spring. Spreading from rhizomes, it quickly doubles its size in one growing season. Though deer do like it, it can quickly produce more fronds and may show no lasting ill effects.
Athyrium niponicum var. pictum 'Burgundy Lace' Athyrium niponicum var. pictum 'Burgundy Lace'
('Burgundy Lace' Japanese painted fern) Be the first to rate this plant
Hardiness Zones: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

Easy-to-grow Japanese painted ferns are tolerant of clay soils, hot summers, and frigid winters. 'Burgundy Lace' sports a vivid color not previously seen in painted ferns. The low-growing clumps of stunning purple-bronze fronds frosted with shimmering silver offer dramatic contrast in shady borders and containers. It's perfect for edging pathways and is especially brilliant planted in groups. 'Burgundy Lace' thrives in humus-rich, moist soil but adapts to less-than-ideal conditions.
Athyrium 'Ghost' Athyrium 'Ghost'
(Ghost fern) Be the first to rate this plant
Hardiness Zones: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

‘Ghost’ is a fiendish fern with an upright habit and showy silvery fronds. Many speculate that the name of this plant is due to the fact that each new frond emerges from the “underworld” with a shimmering whitish hue, then slowly darkens to a silvery green with burgundy accents. It spreads slowly by shallow rhizomes, making a fine ground cover.
Polystichum munitum Polystichum munitum
(Western sword fern) Be the first to rate this plant
Hardiness Zones: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

Western sword ferns abound in the forests of the Northwestern U.S. They are robust, reliable, and virtually maintenance-free. They put up with difficult soil and manage to keep up appearances even in hot, dry weather. Their deep green, leathery fronds are attractive year-round.
Dryopteris tokyoensis Dryopteris tokyoensis
(Tokyo wood fern) Be the first to rate this plant
Hardiness Zones: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

Tokyo wood fern's ladderlike, upright fronds provide a strong vertical accent to its surroundings. The vase-shaped clumps grow to 18 to 36 inches tall. Grow in a woodland or shade garden.