Fern - Athyrium ( Painted & Lady Ferns )

A genus of temperate to cold climate, perennial Ferns with interesting foliage that prefers partial to full shade and light, moist, fertile soils. Deer resistant!
Generally immune to insect pests and disease except for foliage rust which is rare. Plants can be propagated by dividing every 3 or more years during autumn or early spring. Pests and disease problems are rare, however slugs may sometimes occur.

Athyrium alpestre ( Alpine Lady Fern )
A deciduous fern, reaching up to 2.5 x 2 feet, that is native to northern Eurasia and North America ( from Bethel, Alaska to Seward, Alaska to southeast Yukon to Rainbow Lake, Alberta to Slave Lake, Alberta; south to central California to central Colorado...it is also found on in the east in Gaspe, Labrador, Newfoundland, far southern Greenland and Iceland ).
The bipinnate fronds, up to 36 x 10 inches, are bright green.
Hardy zones 1 to 5, requiring a cool climate.

Athyrium angustum ( Eastern Lady Fern )
A deciduous clump Fern reaching up to 4.5 x 4 feet and is native to swamps and wet woods in eastern North America ( from northern Saskatchewan to Winisk, Ontario to Labrador and Newfoundland; south to Nebraska to Missouri to North Carolina ). It is also native locally to far southern Greenland. It is closely related to Athyrium filix-femina. It has declined considerably in southern Ontario; however was abundant throughout Essex County as well as the Ohio lakeshore before 1900.
Its fronds are up to 36 x 14 inches and a clump can spread up to 3 feet in 5 years.
Hardy zones 2 to 8.

* photo taken on Aug 6 2013 in Stratford, Ontario

* photo taken on July 13 2021 @ Hershey Gardens, Hershey PA

'rubellum' ( Lady in Red Fern )
Luxuriant green foliage contrasts with vibrant red stems. Very ornamental. Otherwise similar to above. Easy to grow and looks great with purple Heucheras.
Same size and growth rate as Athytium augustum.

* photo taken on Aug 18 2013 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on June 3 2014 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on June 28 2014 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on Nov 10 2014 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on June 17 2015 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on June 23 2016 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on June 29 2016 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on July 7 2017 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Aug 21 2017 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on July 20 2022 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on Aug 7 2023 in Columbia, MD

Athyrium asplenioides ( Southern Lady Fern )
May be nothing more than a dwarfer North American variant of Athyrium felix-femina. A moderate growing, slow spreading, deciduous fern, reaching up to 4 x 3 feet. It is a widespread native of moist woods and swamps in eastern North America ( from Manitoba to New Brunswick; south to eastern Texas to northern Florida ). It may eventually form impressive colonies on ideal sites.
The attractive double-pinnate fronds, reaching up to 40 x 12 inches in size, are bright green. The foliage combined well with large blue Hostas.
Hardy zones 4 to 8 in partial to full shade on just about any moist fertile soil. It is easy to grow and even thrives on swampy sites.

Athyrium cyclosporum ( Western Lady Fern )
An impressive deciduous Fern native to western North America that reaches up to 8 x 3.5 + feet in size even far from its native range in New York State. It is native to western and central North America ( from Nome, Alaska to Bettles, Alaska to southwest Northwest Territories to Fort McMurray, Alberta to Armstrong, Ontario to central Quebec to Labrador; south to mountains of California to New Mexico to Minnesota and Michigan to London, Ontario to Nova Scotia ). It is local in distribution on the north shore of Lake Huron and Superior. Western Lady Fern is a close relative of Athyrium filix-femina.
Hardy zones 2 to 8.

Athyrium filix-femina ( Lady Fern )
An abundant, deciduous Fern with an extremely widespread range in Europe and Asia. It is a deciduous clumper reaching up to 6.6 x 7 ( rarely over 5 ) feet.
The beautiful, fine, lacy fronds up to 72 x 14 inches are leathery, thin and luxuriant medium green. The frond stems are reddish. This Fern produces new fronds continuously throughoutthe growing season.
Hardy zones 2 to 8 in partial to full shade on moist, fertile, acidic soil. Easy to grow and enjoys moist shade. It can tolerate some sun, wet soil and the occasional drought.



* photos taken on June 30 2013 @ U.S. National Arboretum, DC

* photo taken on May 8 2019 in Gaithersburg, MD

* historical archive photo

'Fieldiae'
Strong growing, reaching up to 2.5 feet with cross-patterned, paired leaflets.

* photos taken on Aug 4 2013 in Bayfield, Ontario

* photos taken on July 27 2015 in Bayfield, ON

* photos taken on July 9 2022 in Bayfield, ON

* photos taken on July 9 2022 in Bayfield, ON

'Frizelliae' ( Tatting Fern )
A deciduous clump Fern reaching up to 20 x 45 inches.
Its bright green fronds are narrow and reduced to beadlike balls.
Hardy zones 3 to 8

* photos taken on Aug 25 2013 @ University of Maryland, College Park

'Rotsteil'
Reaches up to 5 x 2 feet with delicate lacy loose fronds.

'Setigerum'
Reaches up to 20 inches with very slender leaflets.

'Vernoniae Cristatum' ( Red Stemmed Lady Fern )
A fast growing, deciduous spreading fern reaching up to 4 x 3.6 feet. The mahogany red stemmed elegant, frilled, deep green, narrow fronds have crested pinnae tips. Hardy zones 4 to 8

'Victoriae Tall'
A spectacular, deciduous clump fern to 4 feet in height. Its medium green, narrow foliage has pinnae which criss cross forming X's and having created leaflet tips. No other Fern does this.
Tough and fairly drought tolerant. hardy zones 4 to 9

* photo taken on June 30 2013 @ U.S. National Arboretum, DC

* photos taken on May 8 2019 in Gaithersburg, MD

Athyrium x 'Ghost' ( Ghost Fern )
A hydrid between the Japanese Painted Fern and American Lady Fern this is sterile.
It is a tall, deciduous, strong growing, clump Fern reaching a maximum size of 3 x 5 feet with ghostly silvery-gray fronds.
Great as an accent or in large masses in front of dark evergreens.
Hardy zones 3 to 8 in partial to full shade. It is more tolerant of dry soil than most ferns.

* photo taken on May 8 2010 @ McCrillis Gardens, Bethesda, MD


* photo taken on annual Horticultural Society of Maryland Garden Tour

* photo taken on Aug 25 2011 @ Scott Arboretum, Swarthmore College, PA

* photo taken on July 1 2015 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on June 29 2016 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on May 27 2017 @ Meadowlark Botanical Gardens, Vienna, VA

* photo taken on Jul 9 2017 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on Aug 16 2017 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on Apr 22 2020 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on July 14 2020 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on Sep 29 2020 in Columbia, MD

Athyrium japonicum ( Black Lady Fern )
A deciduous fern reaching a maximum height of 2 feet, that is native to much of eastern Asia.
The fronds are up to 16 x 6 inches in size.
Hardy zones 6 to 8

Athyrium nipponicum ( Japanese Lady Fern )
A deciduous fern, reaching a maximum size of 32 inches x 3+ feet, that is native to Manchuria, China, Korea and Japan. The triangular fronds, up to 28 x 10 inches, bear pinnae up to 5 inches in length that bear subleaflets that are toothed and deeply-cut. The foliage is rich deep green.
Hardy zones 4 to 8 ( clones from Manchuria likely hardy zone 3 ) in partial to full shade on moist, fertile, humus-rich, acidic soil.
It often self seeds ( correctly self spores )

* photo taken on June 30 2013 @ U.S. National Arboretum, DC

* photo taken on July 8 2014 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Sep 23 2016 in Columbia, MD

'Applecourt'
A deciduous spreading Fern reaching up to 2 x 3 feet. It is similar to the Japanese Painted Fern but has a even more delicate appearance due to the heavy cresting on each Frond. Hardy zones 3 to 8

* photo taken on May 6 2010 @ Brookside Gardens, Wheaton, MD


'Branford Beauty'
An extremely vigorous but moderate spreading, deciduous Fern reaching up to 3 x 3.3 feet. It is a hybrid between the Lady Fern and the Japanese Painted Fern. It has an upright habit and but also the silvery foliage with red center variegation of the Painted Fern as well as red stems. Easily self seeds.
Hardy zones 4 to 8.

* photos taken on June 3 2014 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on May 30 2015 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on May 13 2019 in Columbia, MD

'Branford Rambler'
A fast spreading, deciduous Fern that forms a dense groundcover that is not invasive.
Its foliage is similar to that of the Japanese Painted Fern but with the stems being more red. It can reach up to 2 x 3.3 feet.
Hardy zones 4 to 8. Moderately drought tolerant.

* photo taken on May 8 2010 @ McCrillis Gardens, Bethesda, MD



'Burgundy Lace'
Similar to 'Pictum' but only reaching a maximum size of 2 x 3 feet and with all burgundy new growth. The fronds later turn to purple with silvery stripes. The fronds average 12 x 7 inches in size.

* photo taken on April 11 2010 @ U.S. National Arboretum, DC

* photo taken on June 23 2013 @ U.S. National Arboretum, DC

* photos taken on May 1 2014 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on May 20 2015 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on May 13 2019 in Columbia, MD

'Ocean's Fury'
Very vigorous, reaching up to 2.7 x 2.8 feet in 4 years, eventually to 3 x 3.3 feet in size, with very bold, upright, intensely silvery, petticoat. fronds. It was introduced by Terra Nova Nurseries and is a hybrid between Athyrium niponicum var. pictum & Athyrium filix-femina ‘Congestum Cristatum’
Hardy zones 3 to 8.

* patent photo

'Pewter Lace'
Moderate growing, reaching up to 1.4 x 2.2 feet in 2.5 years, eventually to 2.1 x 2.5 feet with lacy fronds that are intensely silvery-white with a contrasting red-purple midrib. The fronds are up to 20 x 10.5 inches in size.

* photos taken on June 3 2014 in Columbia, MD

* patent photo

'Pictum' ( Japanese Painted Fern )
A deciduous spreading Fern reaching up to 32 inches x 5 + feet after many years; that is one of the most popular landscape Ferns in America.
The spectacular foliage up to 8 inches across is triangular and multicolored deep green, silver gray and burgundy. This Fern continues to send up new fronds all summer and even fall. New plants form nice clumps very rapidly.
Prefers light shade as full sun washes out the color and reduces vigor.
Hardy zones 4 to 9 ( 3 on sheltered sites ).
A separate extremely rare, very handsome giant form is very vigorous, reaching up to 3.5 feet in height.


* photos taken on May 8 2010 @ U.S. National Arboretum, D.C.


* photo taken on May 16 2010 @ Cylburn Arboretum, Baltimore, MD

* photo taken on Aug 25 2011 @ Scott Arboretum, Swarthmore College, PA

* photo taken on June 3 2014 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on May 27 2017 @ Meadowlark Botanical Gardens, Vienna, VA

* photos taken on July 7 2017 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Aug 2 2021 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on May 8 2023 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on Aug 25 2023 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Apr 27 2024 in Columbia, MD

'Red Beauty'
Vigorous, reaching up to 2 x 3 feet with reddened fronds.

'Regal Red'
Reaches up to 1.5 x 2 feet with deep reddish-violet fronds that are edged in glossy silver.

'Samurai Sword'
Nearly identical to 'Pictum' except with deep red stems.

* photo taken on May 8 2010 @ McCrillis Gardens, Bethesda, MD


'Silver Falls'
Reaches up to 1.3 x 1.4 feet in 1.5 years, eventually to 2 x 2.3 feet with silvery foliage. It has more silver in its foliage than "Pictum' and that color lasts up to 2 months. The fronds are up to 11 x 7.5 inches in size.

* photo taken on June 1 2010 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on Aug 6 2013 in Stratford, Ontario

* photo taken on July 13 2014 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on May 10 2022 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on July 14 2022 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on Aug 23 2022 in Columbia, MD

'Ursalas Red'
Reaching up to 1.7 x 2.5 feet with very attractive fronds that are deep maroon red on the inside and silvery white on the outside. Hardy zones 4 to 8

* photo taken on May 6 2010 @ Brookside Gardens, Wheaton, MD



* photo taken @ Smithsonian Inst, Wash., DC on Aug 25 2014

* photos taken on May 30 2015 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on Apr 23 2017 @ Brookside Gardens, Wheaton, MD

* photos taken on Apr 29 2022 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Aug 2 2022 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Apr 18 2023 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Apr 16 2024 in Columbia, MD

'Wildwood Twist'
Very vigorous, reaching up to 2.3 x 4.8 feet.

* photos taken on May 8 2010 @ U.S. National Arboretum, D.C.



Athyrium otophorum ( Eared Lady Fern )
A deciduous clumping Fern, reaching up to 3 x 3 feet, that is native to deciduous forests in China, Korea and Japan. Very exotic looking, its stems are deep red and the young fronds are bright green to pale silvery later turning glossy gray green to deep green, flat and triangular. The flat, triangular fronds, up to 3 x 1 feet, bear leaflets, up to 3 x 1 inches.
Hardy zones 4 to 8 in partial to full shade on moist, fertile, acidic soil. Propagation is from the spores or division during autumn or early spring.

'Okanum'
Reaches up to 2 x 2 feet with narrow bright green fronds.

Atyrium pycnocarpum ( Glade Fern )
Also called Diplazium pycnocarpon. A deciduous fern that is native to moist woodlands in eastern North America ( from eastern Kansas to Minnesota to Wawa, Ontario to Petawawa, Ontario to southeast Quebec & New Hampshire; south to Louisiana to northern Georgia to Williamsburg, Virginia ). The Glade Fern spreads rapidly and reaches up to 4 x 6 ( rarely over 3 x 4 ) feet in size.
The elegant, narrow, 1 pinnate fronds are up to 48 x 12 inches in size. The foliage is deep green.
Hardy zones 3 to 8 in partial to full shade on moist, well drained soil. It is easy to grow.

* USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database

Athyrium thelpteroides ( Silvery Spleenwort )
Also called Deparia acrostichoides or Silvery Glade Fern. A large spreading Fern to 4 x 3 feet with a rapid creeping rhizome. It is native to moist, rich, upland woods in North America ( from central Minnesota to Michigan's Upper Peninsula to Haliburton, Ontario to southern Quebec to Nova Scotia; south to southwest Arkansas to central Alabama to northern Georgia to central North Carolina ) and also eastern Asia. It occurred sporadically on the Ohio shore during the 1800s.
The double-pinnate fronds. up to 48 x 12 inches in size, are bright green above, silvery beneath.
Hardy zones 3 to 8 ( possibly 2 for Haliburton Co., Ontario seed source ) in partial to full shade on deep fertile soil.

* photo taken on June 23 2013 @ U.S. National Arboretum, DC

* historic archive photo

ADDITIONAL VARIETIES
https://www.freepatentsonline.com/y2009/0113588.html