Athyrium filix-femina, the lady fern or common lady-fern, is a large, feathery species of fern native to temperate Asia, Europe, North America, and North Africa. It is often abundant (one of the more common ferns) in damp, shady woodland environments and is often grown for decoration. Its common names "lady fern" and "female fern" refer to how its reproductive structures (sori) are concealed in an inconspicuous – deemed "female" – manner on the frond. Alternatively, it is said to be feminine because of its elegant and graceful appearance. Mature plants reach roughly 0.5-1 metres tall and 0.5-1 metres wide, carrying deciduous foliage. In the garden it prefers full shade and partial shade and most soil types. It tolerates acid and neutral soils, moist but well-drained conditions and north-facing and east-facing aspects.

Lady fern (Athyrium filix-femina) is a hardy, large feathery fern ideal for shady, damp woodland gardens and underplanting roses in spring and summer.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Athyrium_filix-femina

Athyrium (lady-fern) is a genus of about 180 species of terrestrial ferns, with a cosmopolitan distribution. It is placed in the family Athyriaceae, in the order Polypodiales.

Athyrium filix-femina

Lady fern | Athyrium filix-femina

Athyrium filix-femina 'Frizelliae Capitatum' is a bushy deciduous fern cultivar within the Athyrium genus, known for its upright or spreading rhizomes and finely divided fronds. This fern thrives in shaded, sheltered locations, particularly on north- or east-facing aspects, and prefers moist but well-drained soils ranging from loam to clay or sand with acid to neutral pH. Hardy to UK zone H4, it is well suited to cottage and informal gardens as well as flower borders and beds. It is best grown in moist, humus-rich soil and is of interest during spring and summer.

Athyrium filix-femina 'Frizelliae Capitatum' is a bushy deciduous fern with finely divided fronds, ideal for shaded, sheltered UK gardens in spring and summer.

Athyrium filix-femina 'Frizelliae Capitatum'

Athyrium filix-femina 'Frizelliae'

Tatting fern | Athyrium filix-femina 'Frizelliae'

Athyrium filix-femina 'Minor' is a bushy cultivar of the deciduous fern genus Athyrium, known for its upright or spreading rhizomes and finely divided fronds. This cultivar thrives in shaded, sheltered locations with moist but well-drained, humus-rich soil, preferring loam, clay, or sand with an acid to neutral pH. Suitable for north- or east-facing aspects, it is hardy in the UK to H4 and is ideal for cottage and informal gardens, as well as flower borders and beds. Interest is primarily in spring and summer, with propagation by division in spring or spores.

Athyrium filix-femina 'Minor' is a bushy deciduous fern with finely divided fronds, ideal for shaded, moist spots in cottage gardens and borders.

Athyrium filix-femina 'Minor'

Athyrium filix-femina 'Victoriae' seedling is a bushy cultivar of the deciduous fern genus Athyrium, known for its upright or spreading rhizomes and finely divided fronds. This fern thrives in moist but well-drained, humus-rich soil and is well-suited to shaded, sheltered locations such as north- or east-facing aspects. Hardy to UK zone H4, it is ideal for cottage and informal gardens, as well as flower borders and beds, providing seasonal interest through spring and summer.

Athyrium filix-femina 'Victoriae' seedling is a bushy deciduous fern with finely divided fronds, ideal for shaded borders in spring and summer, hardy to H4.

Athyrium filix-femina 'Victoriae' seedling

Athyrium macrocarpum is a bushy deciduous fern cultivar within the Athyrium genus, known for its upright or spreading rhizomes and finely divided fronds. This fern thrives in shaded, sheltered locations, preferring moist but well-drained soils such as loam, clay, or sand with an acid to neutral pH. Hardy to UK zone H4, it is well-suited to north- or east-facing aspects in cottage and informal gardens or flower borders. Best grown in moist, humus-rich soil, it offers seasonal interest in spring and summer and can be propagated by division or spores in spring.

Athyrium macrocarpum is a bushy deciduous fern with finely divided fronds, ideal for shaded, moist spots in cottage gardens and flower borders.

Athyrium macrocarpum

Athyrium pycnocarpon, known as the glade fern or narrow-leaved spleenwort, is a bushy deciduous fern belonging to the Woodsiaceae family. Like other Athyrium species, it features upright or spreading rhizomes with typically pinnate to tripinnate fronds that are thin in texture. This fern thrives in moist, humus-rich soil under full or partial shade, favouring sheltered, north- or east-facing aspects. It is hardy to UK zone H4 and is well suited to cottage and informal gardens, as well as flower borders and beds, with interest in spring and summer.

Athyrium pycnocarpon, the glade fern, is a hardy deciduous fern ideal for shady cottage gardens and flower borders in spring and summer.

Athyrium pycnocarpon

Glade fern | Athyrium pycnocarpon

Athyrium reflexipinnum is a deciduous fern cultivar within the Athyrium genus, known for its bushy habit and delicate fronds. Like other Athyrium ferns, it thrives in shaded, sheltered locations with moist but well-drained soil, preferring loam, clay, or sand with an acid to neutral pH. This hardy fern is suitable for north- or east-facing aspects and is well-suited to cottage and informal gardens, as well as flower borders and beds. It is best cultivated in moist, humus-rich soil and can be propagated by division in spring or by spores, with interest in spring and summer.

Athyrium reflexipinnum is a deciduous fern with delicate fronds, ideal for shaded, moist gardens and adds interest in spring and summer.

Athyrium reflexipinnum

Athyrium vidalii is a deciduous fern cultivar within the Athyrium genus, known for its clump-forming habit and upright or spreading rhizomes. It typically reaches 0.5 to 1 metre in height and spread over 5 to 10 years. Suited to shaded, sheltered sites with moist but well-drained loam or clay soils, it thrives in neutral to acid conditions. This fern is hardy to UK zone H5 and is ideal for cottage and informal gardens, offering interest in spring and summer. Maintenance involves removing old fronds in winter or early spring, and propagation is by division.

Athyrium vidalii is a deciduous fern with yellow-green fronds and red-purple stems, ideal for shaded cottage gardens, flowering in spring and summer.

Athyrium vidalii

Diplazium caudatum is a clump-forming deciduous fern belonging to the Woodsiaceae family. It thrives in full shade, ideally on a north-facing aspect with sheltered exposure. This ornamental cultivar prefers moist, neutral loam soil and is hardy to UK zone H5. Best planted in well-drained soil with watering during establishment, it is of interest in spring and summer. Propagation is by spores.

Diplazium caudatum is a clump-forming deciduous fern ideal for full shade and moist soil, offering ornamental interest in spring and summer.

Diplazium caudatum

Woodsia alpina, commonly known as alpine woodsia or northern woodsia, is a clump-forming deciduous fern belonging to the genus Woodsia. These compact, tufted ferns have pinnate or bi-pinnate fronds, making them well suited for rock gardens. This cultivar thrives in partial shade with a north, east, or west-facing aspect and prefers moist but well-drained, humus-rich soils such as loam, chalk, or sand with neutral to alkaline pH. Hardy to UK zone H7, it is ideal for sheltered locations and is best grown in spring and summer, suitable for informal gardens, underplanting, and flower borders.

Alpine Woodsia is a hardy, clump-forming deciduous fern ideal for rock gardens and underplanting, thriving in partial shade from spring to summer.