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Genus Athyrium

Athyrium niponicum 'Pictum' Photo/Illustration: Michelle Gervais

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Athyrium is a genus of 180 species of deciduous, terrestrial ferns that are suitable to a wide range of garden conditions, including shady borders and woodland gardens, or for growing as houseplants or in greenhouses. They are native to moist woodland and forests in temperate and tropical regions around the globe. Fronds are generally pinnate, 3-pinnate, or pinnatifid, with 2 rows of sori.
Noteworthy characteristics: Deciduous ferns useful in a range of garden situations.
Care: In the garden, Athyrium need moist, fertile soil that is neutral to acidic and enriched with compost or leaf mold. In the greenhouse, grow in bright filtered light and high humidity. Water freely during growth, but sparingly in winter.
Propagation: Sow spores as soon as they ripen at 70°F (for tender species) or 59° to 61°F (for hardy species). Divide in spring.
Problems: Rust.

Species, varieties and cultivars for genus Athyrium

Athyrium 'Ghost'
(Ghost fern) Be the first to rate this plant

Hardiness Zones:

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

Athyrium filix-femina ‘Vernoniae Cristatum’
(Crested lady fern) Be the first to rate this plant

Hardiness Zones:

This small fern is popular and easy to grow. It's suited to the front edge of a border. This cultivar has arching, ruffled fronds that divide into tassels at the ends.

Athyrium niponicum 'Pictum'
(Japanese painted fern)

(3 user reviews)

Hardiness Zones:

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.

Athyrium niponicum var. pictum 'Burgundy Lace'
('Burgundy Lace' Japanese painted fern) Be the first to rate this plant

Hardiness Zones:

'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.

Athyrium niponicum var. pictum 'Ursula's Red'
('Ursula's Red' Japanese painted fern)

(1 user review)

Hardiness Zones:

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.