Description

Buy Athyrium niponicum var. pictum (Japanese painted fern) online from our UK nursery. The Japanese painted fern has silvery fronds with burgundy-red stems.

Hardy ferns bring elegant texture and soft colour to shady, moist corners where many plants struggle. Their unfurling fronds are one of the joys of spring.

Key features of Athyrium niponicum var. pictum (Japanese painted fern)

• Plant type: Deciduous hardy fern
• Season of interest: Spring to autumn
• Look: Silver, grey-green and burgundy fronds
• Height and spread: 0.4m x 0.6m
• Position: Part or full shade
• Soil: Moist, humus-rich soil
• Hardiness: Fully hardy
• Supplied in: 3L pot
• Best for: shady borders, woodland gardens, pots in shade, north-facing beds

Why choose Athyrium niponicum var. pictum (Japanese painted fern)?

• Silver and burgundy fronds
• Shade-loving
• Deciduous

Where to plant Athyrium niponicum var. pictum (Japanese painted fern)

Athyrium niponicum var. pictum (Japanese painted fern) grows best in part or full shade, in moist, humus-rich soil. It is a good choice for shady borders, and also works well for woodland gardens, pots in shade and north-facing beds. Pair with hostas, hellebores and woodland plants.

How to plant Athyrium niponicum var. pictum (Japanese painted fern)

Give the pot a good soak first. Then dig a wide planting hole, enrich the soil with compost, and plant so the top of the root ball sits level with the ground. Firm in gently and water well, then add a mulch to hold in moisture.

How to care for Athyrium niponicum var. pictum (Japanese painted fern)

Keep the soil moist; mulch with leafmould. Mulch with leafmould and remove old fronds in late winter. Remove old fronds in late winter. Dry soil and strong sun damage the fronds.

Growing Athyrium niponicum var. pictum (Japanese painted fern) in a pot

Grows well in shady containers. Use a loam-based compost such as John Innes No. 3, make sure the pot has drainage holes, and water regularly in summer, as containers dry out faster than borders.

Grown in the UK, for UK gardens

Every plant is grown at our St Annes nursery in the North West, where it is raised in real British conditions. That means a tougher, well-rooted plant that settles quickly into your garden. This Athyrium niponicum var. pictum (Japanese painted fern) is supplied in a 3L pot. Container-grown plants can be planted almost all year round, as long as the ground is not frozen or waterlogged; autumn and spring are ideal.

Frequently asked questions

How big does Athyrium niponicum var. pictum (Japanese painted fern) grow?
Athyrium niponicum var. pictum (Japanese painted fern) typically reaches 0.4m x 0.6m, depending on position, soil and pruning.

When does Athyrium niponicum var. pictum (Japanese painted fern) look its best?
Its main season of interest is spring to autumn, when it shows silver, grey-green and burgundy fronds.

Is Athyrium niponicum var. pictum (Japanese painted fern) hardy?
Fully hardy.

How do I prune Athyrium niponicum var. pictum (Japanese painted fern)?
Remove old fronds in late winter.

Do hardy ferns need shade?
Most hardy ferns do best in shade with moist soil.

Can I grow Athyrium niponicum var. pictum (Japanese painted fern) in a pot?
Yes. Ferns grow well in pots kept moist and shaded.

Add Athyrium niponicum var. pictum (Japanese painted fern) to your basket today and enjoy spring to autumn interest in your garden.