Introducing...
Athyrium
Common name: Lady fern
These are mainly deciduous ferns, with feathery, finely divided foliage. They are easy to grow in a shady spot in damp soil, either alongside other ferns or in a mixed woodland-edge planting scheme.
Looks
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.
Likes
These ferns grow best in moist, but not waterlogged, neutral to acidic soil, in shade or partial shade.
Dislikes
Dry and sunny locations will cause the foliage to scorch and turn brown.
Did you know?
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.
Growing guide
How to grow athyrium
All the information you need to grow and care for athyrium in your garden.
Athyrium we recommend
Athyrium niponicum var. pictum 'Silver Falls'
painted lady fern 'Silver Falls'
- 0.1–0.5 metres
- 1.5–2.5 metres
Athyrium otophorum var. okanum
eared lady fern
- 0.5–1 metres
- 0.1–0.5 metres
Athyrium niponicum var. pictum 'Silver Falls'
painted lady fern 'Silver Falls'
- 0.1–0.5 metres
- 1.5–2.5 metres
Athyrium otophorum var. okanum
eared lady fern
- 0.5–1 metres
- 0.1–0.5 metres
Useful advice
Shade gardening
Shade planting: annuals, bulbs and perennials
Get involved
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