About

A deciduous fern characterized by its creeping rhizome and lanceolate, bipinnate fronds that reach a height of 30 cm. The fronds are grey in color, featuring lighter midribs on the pinnae, and exhibit a distinctive red-purple band running through the center.

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
Full shade, Partial shade
Soil type
Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH
Acid, Neutral
Soil moisture
Moist but well-drained
Aspect
North-facing, East-facing
Exposure
Sheltered
UK hardiness
H5

Plant details

Plant type
Ferns
Habit
Bushy
Foliage
Deciduous
Height
0.1-0.5 metres
Spread
0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height
2-5 years
Suggested uses
City and courtyard gardens, Rock garden, Cottage and informal garden
Native to
E Asia

Care notes

Cultivation
Easy to grow in moist, fertile neutral to acid soil enriched with leaf mould or garden compost in a shady, sheltered site. See how to grow ferns for further advice
Pruning
No pruning required. Cut down fronds as necessary
Propagation
Propagate from spores as soon as ripe or divide in spring
Pest resistance
Generally pest-free
Disease resistance
Generally disease-free