Athyrium niponicum 'Pictum'

Common Name: Japanese Painted Fern

2004 Perennial Plant of the Year!

One of the most colorful ferns for the garden, the Japanese Painted Fern has silvery-grey fronds which are dusty purple towards the center. They are set off by the purplish-red veins and stems.

This fern has a low and mounding habit, slowly spreading by rhizomes to form dense colonies. The fronds are positioned in a way that creates a horizontal layering effect much like you see in Dogwood trees.

Height:

12.0-18.0 Inches

Spread:

24.0 Inches

Hardiness Zones:

3,4,5,6,7,8

Foliage Color:

Silver/grey shades

Sunlight:

Part Shade (4-6 hrs. Direct Sun) Full Shade (< 4 hrs. Direct Sun)

Water Requirements:

Average Water Needs Consistent Water Needs

Soil Quality:

Poor Soil Quality Average Soil Quality Fertile Soil Quality

Soil Chemistry:

Acidic Soil (pH < 7.0) Neutral Soil (pH = 7.0)

Critter Resistant:

Rabbit Resistant

Growth Rate:

Medium

Garden Style:

Asian Patio Container Eclectic Formal Modern Woodland Shade

Other Features:

Border Plant Container Cut Foliage Attractive Foliage

Origin:

Not Native to North America

Athyrium n. 'Pictum' grows best in moist soil with a neutral to moderately acidic pH. Light to partial shade is best; some sunlight is necessary to produce the vibrant coloring. To protect the crowns and tender shoots in the spring, it is best to leave the old fronds on the plant over the winter. They can be removed in the spring when the new fronds reach 6 inches tall. If division is necessary, do so in the spring.

Awards

Perennial Plant Association Plant of the Year -- 2004

MNLA Grower's Choice Award -- 2002

Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit -- 1993

Chicago Botanic Garden Plant Evaluation Top Performer -- 2015

Characteristics