Athyrium niponicum

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painted fern

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Synonyms

Athyrium goeringianum hort.
Asplenium nipponicum
Anisocampium niponicum
Athyrium iseanum hort.

Ferns Herbaceous Perennial
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A small, deciduous fern with pale green and grey, narrowly ovate fronds and bipinate (twice divided) leaflets helping to give a soft graceful apearance. The stems are often dark red or red-brown in colour. There are many cultivars of this species grown for their colourful foliage

Position

Partial shade

Soil Types

Loam, Clay, Chalk

Max Height

0.1-0.5 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
2–5 years
Max Spread
0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height
0.1-0.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Loam Clay Chalk
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Neutral or Acid or Alkaline

Position

Partial shade
Aspect
West–facing or East–facing or North–facing
Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

  • H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
  • H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
  • H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
  • H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
  • H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
  • H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
  • H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
  • H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
  • H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)
H5

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Woodsiaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Clump forming
Genus
Athyrium are deciduous ferns with erect or creeping rhizomes bearing usually pinnate to tripinnate fronds, often of thin texture, and they are especially shade-tolerant
Name Status
Correct
Plant Range
Himalaya to E. Asia

How to Grow

Cultivation

For best results grow in a moist but free draining soil in partial shade. See how to grow ferns for further advice

Propagation

Propagate by division or spores

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Patio and container plants
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Low Maintenance
  • Underplanting of roses and shrubs
  • Flower borders and beds

Pruning

Remove faded foliage in late autumn or leave until spring before new growth emerges

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free