Athyrium otophorum
eared lady fern
A tufted fern making a rosette of arching, broadly ovate, bipinnate fronds to 50cm long, pale green in spring, later grey-green, with purple stalk and main veins
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Size
Ultimate height
0.1–0.5 metresTime to ultimate height
2–5 yearsUltimate spread
0.1–0.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drainedpH
Acid, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Green Purple | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Purple Green Grey Silver | |||
| Autumn | Purple Green Grey Silver | |||
| Winter |
Position
- Partial shade
Aspect
North–facing or East–facing
Exposure
Sheltered Hardiness
H4Botanical details
- Family
- Woodsiaceae
- Native to the UK
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Habit
- Bushy
- 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
- E Asia
How to grow
Cultivation
Grows best in moist, preferably neutral or acid soil in a sheltered position in dappled or full shade
Propagation
Propagate by division in spring or propagate from spores; sow spores as soon as ripe at 15-20°C (59-68°F) in a humid environment with indirect light
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Cottage and informal garden
- Flower borders and beds
Pruning
Tidy plant and remove leaves when they begin to die down
Pests
Generally pest-free
Diseases
Generally disease-free
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