Description

Athyrium – Lady Fern

There are 180 deciduous species of terrestrial and a few epiphytic ferns, in this genus.  They are found mainly in moist alpine, woodland or forest in temperate and tropical regions in most of the world.  They bear erect or creeping sometimes branched rhizomes.  It bears grooved stems that hold pinnate to 3 pinnate or pinnatifid fronds.  Sori form in 2 rows and are usually covered by ‘J’ shaped covering.  Their well suited for a range of sites, from a shady sites to a woodland setting and of course a great hardy houseplant.

When grown indoors place in a setting with humid atmosphere and plant in 1 part, of loam, 1 part medium grade bark, and charcoal, 2 parts sharp sand, and 3 parts coarse leaf mold.  Do not allow to dry out.  Place in bright filtered light.  During growing season water freely and apply a half strength fertilizer monthly, water more sparingly in winter.

When grown outdoors place in shade in moist, fertile, neutral to acidic soil, enriched with leaf mold or compost.  Divide in spring.

Prone to rust.

Athyrium niponicum var. pictum – Athyrium goeringianum var. pictum – Athyrium niponicum ‘Pictum’ – Japanese Painted Fern – This deciduous fern grows 18” tall and has an indefinite spread.  It produces creeping red brown rhizomes and 2 or 3 pinnate to pinnatifid lance shaped to oblong or ovate fronds to 14” long with red midribs.   Individual segments of the fronds are metallic gray, lance shaped to oblong or ovate sometimes with notched or lobed edges that may be purple-red flushed.  Great as a ground covers.

Zones 4-8