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Athyrium niponicum var. pictum (Japanese painted fern)
3 hours care
per year
per year
0.3m
Max height
Max height
0.6m
Max spread
Max spread
5-10 years
To maturity
To maturity
Plant details
Botanical name
Athyrium niponicum var. pictum
Other names
Japanese painted fern, Athyrium niponicum f. metallicum, Athyrium niponicum 'Pictum', Athyrium nipponicum var. pictum 'Metallicum'
Genus
Athyrium Athyrium
Species
A. niponicum var. pictum - A. niponicum var. pictum is a clump-forming, deciduous fern bearing arching, lance-shaped, pinnate, red- or purple-flushed, silvery-grey fronds with lance-shaped to ovate, notched or lobed pinnae.
Athyrium niponicum var. pictum is: Deciduous
Habit
Spreading, Clump-forming, Arching
Awards
RHS AGM (Award of Garden Merit)
Flower
Insignificant or absent in All seasons
Foliage
Flushed red, Flushed purple, Silvery-grey in Spring; Silvery-grey, Flushed red, Flushed purple in Summer; Silvery-grey, Flushed red, Flushed purple in Autumn
How to care
Watch out for
General care
Pruning
Remove damaged or dead fronds as needed.
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Where to grow
Athyrium niponicum var. pictum (Japanese painted fern) will reach a height of 0.3m and a spread of 0.6m after 5-10 years.
Suggested uses
Cottage/Informal, Beds and borders, Underplanting, Bog garden
Cultivation
Grow in fertile, moist, acid to neutral soil in a sheltered, shaded site.
Soil type
Clay, Loamy, Sandy
Soil drainage
Moist but well-drained, Moisture-retentive
Soil pH
Acid, Neutral
Light
Partial Shade, Full Shade
Aspect
North, East
Exposure
Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Hardy (H4)
Companion plants
Botanical name
Athyrium niponicum var. pictum
Other names
Japanese painted fern, Athyrium niponicum f. metallicum, Athyrium niponicum 'Pictum', Athyrium nipponicum var. pictum 'Metallicum'
Genus
Athyrium Athyrium
Species
A. niponicum var. pictum - A. niponicum var. pictum is a clump-forming, deciduous fern bearing arching, lance-shaped, pinnate, red- or purple-flushed, silvery-grey fronds with lance-shaped to ovate, notched or lobed pinnae.
Native to
Eastern Asia
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Spreading, Clump-forming, Arching
Awards
RHS AGM (Award of Garden Merit)
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Colour
Flower
Insignificant or absent in All seasons
Foliage
Flushed red, Flushed purple, Silvery-grey in Spring; Silvery-grey, Flushed red, Flushed purple in Summer; Silvery-grey, Flushed red, Flushed purple in Autumn
General care
Pruning
Remove damaged or dead fronds as needed.
Monthly care advice
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Where to grow
Athyrium niponicum var. pictum (Japanese painted fern) will reach a height of 0.3m and a spread of 0.6m after 5-10 years.
Suggested uses
Cottage/Informal, Beds and borders, Underplanting, Bog garden
Cultivation
Grow in fertile, moist, acid to neutral soil in a sheltered, shaded site.
Soil type
Clay, Loamy, Sandy
Soil drainage
Moist but well-drained, Moisture-retentive
Soil pH
Acid, Neutral
Light
Partial Shade, Full Shade
Aspect
North, East
Exposure
Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Hardy (H4)
USDA zones
Zone 8, Zone 7, Zone 6, Zone 5, Zone 4, Zone 3
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Athyrium nipponicum var pictum (April 2020)
Athyrium niponicum var. pictum (Japanese painted fern)
Athyrium niponicum var. pictum (Japanese painted fern)
(07/05/2011)
(26/07/2011)
| This plant likes... | Garden match | |
| Soil types: | Clay, Loamy, Sandy | Tell us... |
| Soil drainage: | Moist but well-drained, Moisture-retentive | Tell us... |
| Soil pH: | Acid, Neutral | Tell us... |
| Light: | Partial Shade, Full Shade | Tell us... |
| Aspect: | North, East | Tell us... |
| Exposure: | Sheltered | Tell us... |
| Hardiness: | Hardy (H4) | Tell us... |
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