Japanese Painted Fern
Athyrium niponicum var. pictum
Also listed as Anisocampium niponicum, Asplenium brevisorum
Also known as Oriental Ladyfern
Climate Match for your location
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A delicate deciduous fern featuring silvery-gray fronds with burgundy or pink stems and veining, creating a striking painted appearance. It thrives in moist, shaded woodland gardens and adds sophisticated color and texture to shade plantings.
Why grow it
Japanese Painted Fern distinguishes itself from other shade ferns through its consistent silvery-gray coloration and contrasting burgundy veining, offering sustained visual interest where many deciduous ferns read as uniform green. It grows more slowly and remains more compact than larger woodland ferns, making it suitable for smaller shade gardens or mixed plantings where space is limited. The distinctive foliage color persists through the growing season without requiring special conditions, unlike some ferns that develop color only under specific stress.
Watch out for
This fern performs best in consistently moist soil; extended dry periods can stress the plant and cause frond scorch even in shade conditions. The delicate fronds are susceptible to damage from heavy foot traffic or rough handling, so site it away from high-traffic areas. Depending on your climate zone, fronds may emerge later in spring than other fern species, which can create the mistaken impression that the plant has not survived winter.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Athyriaceae
Native Range
Japan
Seasonality
Season of Interest
Herb
Soft non-woody plants of the field layer.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
pH Range
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Propagation
A delicate deciduous fern featuring silvery-gray fronds with burgundy or pink stems and veining, creating a striking painted appearance. It thrives in moist, shaded woodland gardens and adds sophisticated color and texture to shade plantings.
Climate Match for your location
See how well Japanese Painted Fern grows in your area.
Enter your ZIP code and we'll show you how this plant fits your local climate.
Why grow it
Japanese Painted Fern distinguishes itself from other shade ferns through its consistent silvery-gray coloration and contrasting burgundy veining, offering sustained visual interest where many deciduous ferns read as uniform green. It grows more slowly and remains more compact than larger woodland ferns, making it suitable for smaller shade gardens or mixed plantings where space is limited. The distinctive foliage color persists through the growing season without requiring special conditions, unlike some ferns that develop color only under specific stress.
Watch out for
This fern performs best in consistently moist soil; extended dry periods can stress the plant and cause frond scorch even in shade conditions. The delicate fronds are susceptible to damage from heavy foot traffic or rough handling, so site it away from high-traffic areas. Depending on your climate zone, fronds may emerge later in spring than other fern species, which can create the mistaken impression that the plant has not survived winter.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Athyriaceae
Native Range
Japan
Seasonality
Season of Interest
Herb
Soft non-woody plants of the field layer.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
pH Range
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Propagation
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