Genus Athyrium

Athyrium niponicum 'Pictum' Photo/Illustration: Michelle Gervais

ah-THEER-ee-um

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:

‘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.

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)

(1 user review)

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:

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

(1 user review)

Hardiness Zones:

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.