This Athyrium is a graceful hardy fern grown for its finely divided, lacy fronds, the classic lady fern and painted fern look that brings soft, airy texture to a shaded planting. Where a bold strap-leaved fern makes a statement, this one does the opposite, layering delicate, feathery detail and often subtly coloured stems into cool, woodland-style displays.Athyrium ferns are among the hardiest you can grow, and this one is rated around RHS H7, fully hardy throughout the UK. It is deciduous, dying back gracefully as the cold arrives and then reshooting a fresh flush of croziers each spring, so it brings a real sense of the changing seasons to the garden. It is happiest in the cool, moist, shaded ground it would enjoy in its native temperate woodland.How and where to grow Position: partial to full shade, perfect for a north-facing border or a damp, shady corner under trees. Soil: humus-rich, reliably moist ground on the neutral to acid side; add leaf mould or a peat-free fern mix to hold moisture. Size: forming a soft clump around 45-60 cm tall and wide over a few seasons. Hardiness: fully hardy and deciduous; cut back the faded fronds in late winter before the new growth appears. Keep the soil consistently moist through the first season while the plant establishes, as Athyrium ferns dislike drying out. After that they are easy and rewarding, asking only for shade, shelter from strong wind, and steady moisture. Use it to soften a shade planting, to weave fine texture through exotic borders, or to fill a cool, shaded container. It looks especially good alongside bolder ferns such as the glossy Asplenium scolopendrium and the coppery Dryopteris erythrosora.Part of our wider range of hardy exotics, every fern we send is nursery-grown, hand-selected for healthy roots and strong crowns, and packed with care. To see how hardy plants settle in across the year, read our what to expect guide.
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