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Athyrium niponicum var. pictum 'Burgundy Lace' ('Burgundy Lace' Japanese painted fern)

Athyrium niponicum var. pictum 'Burgundy Lace' Photo/Illustration: Bill Johnson


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Hardiness Zones: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11
Botanical Name: Athyrium niponicum var. pictum 'Burgundy Lace' ah-THEER-ee-um nih-PON-ih-kum variety PIK-tum Common Name: 'Burgundy Lace' Japanese painted fern Genus: Athyrium
'Burgundy Lace' is a real showstopper in shady borders and containers, with its silvery purple-bronze fronds. The low-growing clumps are a good choice for edging pathways, and the plant looks terrific when planted in groups. 'Burgundy Lace' grows best in humus-rich, moist soil but will also adapt to conditions that are less than ideal. -Chris Kelley, Regional Picks: Midwest, Fine Gardening issue #120
 Noteworthy characteristics: A hardy fern with dramatic foliage. Tolerant of clay soils, hot summers, and frigid winters.
 Care: Provide partial to full shade and moist, fertile, neutral to acidic soil.
 Propagation: Divide plants in spring, or sow fresh spores at 59-61°F.
 Problems: Rust.
Height 1 ft. to 3 ft.
Spread 1 ft. to 3 ft.
Growth Habit Clumps
Light Part Shade to Full Shade
Moisture Medium Moisture
Maintenance Low
Tolerance Frost Tolerant
Characteristics Showy Foliage
Foliage Color Colorful/Burgundy Foliage
Uses Beds and Borders, Container, Ground Covers
Style Woodland Garden
Seasonal Interest Spring Interest, Summer Interest, Fall Interest
Type Fern

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Hardiness Zones: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

The broad silvery leaves of ‘Ursula’s Red’ have a showy burgundy band at the center of the leaves in spring. This plant can double in size in a single growing season, as it spreads from rhizomes. Though deer do like it, it may simply grow more fronds and not show any lasting damage. --Michael Ruggiero, Regional Picks: Mid-Atlantic, Fine Gardening issue #127
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Hardiness Zones: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

Here's a fern with an upright habit and silvery fronds that give it a ghostly look, hence the name. Emerging new fronds have a shimmering whitish color that darkens slowly to a silvery green with burgundy accents. 'Ghost' spreads slowly by shallow rhizomes, eventuallly becoming an excellent ground cover. -Matt Griswold, Regional Picks: Northeast, Fine Gardening issue #127
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Hardiness Zones: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

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Hardiness Zones: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

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