About
Athyrium niponicum is a compact, deciduous fern characterized by its pale green and gray, slenderly ovate fronds. The leaves are bipinnate, creating a soft and elegant profile. Often, the stems display a dark red or red-brown hue. This species has numerous cultivars that are valued for their vibrant foliage.
About the genus
Athyrium comprises deciduous ferns characterized by their upright or spreading rhizomes, which support typically pinnate to tripinnate fronds that are often thin in texture. These ferns are particularly well-suited for shaded environments.
Growing conditions
- Sunlight
- Partial shade
- Soil type
- Loam, Clay, Chalk
- Soil pH
- Neutral, Acid, Alkaline
- Soil moisture
- Moist but well-drained
- Aspect
- West-facing, East-facing, North-facing
- Exposure
- Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H5
Plant details
- Plant type
- Ferns, Herbaceous Perennial
- Habit
- Clump forming
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Height
- 0.1-0.5 metres
- Spread
- 0.1-0.5 metres
- Time to full height
- 2-5 years
- Suggested uses
- Patio and container plants, Cottage and informal garden
- Native to
- Himalaya to E. Asia
Care notes
- Cultivation
- For best results grow in a moist but free draining soil in partial shade. See how to grow ferns for further advice
- Pruning
- Remove faded foliage in late autumn or leave until spring before new growth emerges
- Propagation
- Propagate by division or spores
- Pest resistance
- Generally pest-free
- Disease resistance
- Generally disease-free