About

This deciduous fern forms dense clumps featuring arching, lanceolate leaflets that emerge from silvery-grey fronds. The tips of the fronds are twisted, and dark purple markings accentuate the midribs, adding visual interest to its overall appearance.

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

Loam, Clay

Soil pH

Neutral, Acid

Soil moisture

Moist but well-drained

Aspect

West-facing, East-facing, North-facing

Exposure

Sheltered

UK hardiness

H5

Plant details

Plant type

Ferns

Habit

Clump forming

Foliage

Deciduous

Height

0.1-0.5 metres

Spread

0.5-1 metres

Time to full height

5-10 years

Suggested uses

Cottage and informal garden

Care notes

Cultivation

Plant in moist, fertile, neutral to acid soil in a part or full shaded sheltered site. See how to grow ferns for further advice

Pruning

Remove old faded fronds in winter or wait for spring before new fronds emerge

Propagation

Propagate by division

Pest resistance

General pest-free

Disease resistance

General disease-free