Athyrium Niponicum Var Pictum - Painted Fern

Athyrium Niponicum is commonly known as the Japanese Painted Fern. One of the most colourful of the perennial ferns, it is a great addition particularly for a shady part of the garden. The Japanese Painted Fern is a really beautiful, hardy fern with silver grey fronds highlighted by a burgundy red midrib. It is a favourite of garden designers at the Chelsea Garden Show, where its often included in show gardens - used for its delicate appearance. Athyrium Niponicum is easy to grow and prefers a moist sheltered site with some shade.

This unusual perennial fern is also the winner of the prestigious Award of Garden Merit by the Royal Horticultural Society, a sure sign that it will perform well in most gardens.

Height and Spread of Athyrium Niponicum
The Japanese Painted Fern is a compact cultivar which will fit in gardens of any size. The maximum height of this perennial is 30 to 45 centimetres, with a spread of 30 to 60 centimetres.

How Hardy is Athyrium Niponicum
Even though its delicate appearance might not make it seem obvious, Japanese Painted Fern is a robust plant. This cultivar is fully hardy in the United Kingdom, even in areas where winter temperatures drop to 15 degrees below zero.

How To Use Athyrium Niponicum
A shade-tolerant plant, Japanese Painted Fern is ideal for perking up dull and dark corners of the gardens. Where most other cultivars would wither, this perennial fern thrives! The attractive silver and burgundy fronds of the Japanese Painted Fern make it a welcome sight in a mixed shrub border. You can also use this low-growing fern as a foundation planting or grow it in a pot for an unusual but gorgeous addition to a patio or balcony.

How To Care for Athyrium Niponicum
Japanese Painted Fern is easy to grow- this plant prefers a moist sheltered site with some shade. It can even grow well in containers, indoors or outdoors, as long as it is away from the sun and the soil is damp and rich enough.