Athyrium

Feathery, lace-like foliage unfurls from a central crown in spring. Cultivars range from spreading ground-huggers just 20cm (8in) high to stately shuttlecocks reaching 1.2m (4ft) tall.

These ferns grow best in moist, but not waterlogged, neutral to acidic soil, in shade or partial shade.

Dry and sunny locations will cause the foliage to scorch and turn brown.

The name Athyrium is thought to derive from the Greek 'athoros', which means good at breeding, referring to the plants' ability to propagate readily from spores.