Athyrium filix-femina Cristatum Group

Synonyms

Athyrium filix-femina crested
Athyrium filix-femina congestum cristatum

Ferns

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A delicate, deciduous Lady Fern with finely divided green fronds and crested growth at the tips of the leaflets

Position

Full shade, Partial shade

Soil Types

Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.5-1 metres

Max Spread

0.5-1 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 5–10 years
Max Spread: 0.5-1 metres
Max Height: 0.5-1 metres

Growing Conditions

Clay Loam Sand

Moisture: Moist but well–drained
pH: Neutral or Acid

Position

Full shade Partial shade

Aspect: East–facing or West–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): H6

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: Accepted

How to Grow

Cultivation

Plant in moist but free draining fertile, neutral to acid soil in a shaded, sheltered site. See how to grow ferns for further advice

Propagation

Propagate by division

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Cottage and informal garden
Low Maintenance
Flower borders and beds
Underplanting of roses and shrubs

Pruning

No pruning required but can remove older fading leaves if necessary as new fronds appear

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free