Athyrium filix-femina subsp. angustum

RHS Plant Profile
northern lady fern

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Other common names

subarctic lady fern

Synonyms

Athyrium filix-femina Cruciatum Group
Athyrium filix-femina Victoriae Group
Athyrium filix-femina var. angustum
Asplenium michauxii

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Ferns

An upright, clump-forming and slowly-spreading, deciduous fern with erect to arching stems bearing lance-shaped leaflets on green fronds

Position

Partial shade

Soil Types

Loam, Clay, 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

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

Position

Partial shade
Aspect
North–facing or West–facing or East–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
Correct
Plant Range
NE North America

How to Grow

Cultivation

For full cultivation notes see our advice web page how to grow ferns

Propagation

Propagate by division or spores

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

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free