Athyrium niponicum var. pictum
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Athyrium niponicum var. pictum: Silver Fronds Dipped in Wine
This fern looks like somebody let an art student loose with silver paint and a burgundy marker. Arching fronds in soft grey and green, with wine-coloured midribs. FRAME IT OR PLANT IT. YOUR CALL.
Plant Characteristics:
- Botanical Name: Athyrium niponicum var. pictum
- Common Name: Japanese Painted Fern
- Height: 45 cm (18 in)
- Spread: 60 cm (24 in)
- Flowers: None. Ferns reproduce by spores.
- Foliage: Arching, finely divided fronds in silvery grey and soft green, with burgundy stems and midribs. Deciduous.
- Features: Perennial Plant of the Year 2004
Where to Plant: Plant it along shady paths, at the front of woodland beds or in drifts in shade, where its silver fronds brighten dark corners. It also does well in containers on a shaded porch.
Companion Plants: Hosta Shadowland® 'Autumn Frost' sits at the same low height and adds bold leaves with lavender flowers in July and August. Epimedium 'Lilafee' brings violet flowers in April and May, picking up the purple in the fronds. Behind them, Astilbe 'Amethyst' rises to 90 to 100 cm with purple plumes in June and July. The purple thread ties the whole shade bed together.
Plant Care: Plant it in moist, well-drained soil enriched with compost. Light shade gives the best colour. A little morning sun is fine, but strong afternoon sun will bleach and scorch the fronds. Don't let the soil dry out, especially in the first summer. Top-dress with compost or shredded leaves each spring or fall. It needs very little feeding. It dies back after frost; cut the old fronds down in early spring before the new ones unfurl. Divide in early spring if the clump gets large.
History: Japanese painted fern is native to Japan, Korea, Taiwan and northern China, and pictum means "painted". It was the Perennial Plant Association's Perennial Plant of the Year in 2004.
Final Thoughts: Deer resistant, low maintenance, and it makes dark corners look curated. GALLERY OPENING IN THE SHADE GARDEN, FREE ADMISSION.
