Athyrium niponicum var. pictum

Athyrium niponicum var. pictum is an elegant deciduous hardy fern with deeply cut, greyish-green fronds (leaves) marked with silver and red-purple. It has short, creeping rhizomes (underground stems), helping it to spread without becoming invasive. The common name of Athyrium niponicum var. pictum is painted lady fern or Japanese painted fern.

Position: Thrives in a sheltered, full or partial shaded site in moist, but well-drained, humus-rich, neutral to acid soil. Good for woodland gardens and naturalised planting schemes.

Planting: Water thoroughly or stand the pot in a bucket of water for half an hour before planting. Dig a hole twice the size of the pot, mix compost and a granular fertiliser with the soil from the hole, remove the pot, place the plant in the hole so that the top of the root ball is level with the surrounding soil, back fill with the soil/compost mix and firm down to prevent air pockets. Water well after planting and during dry spells during the first growing season. Also looks brilliant when grown in containers of good compost.

Aftercare: Water during prolonged dry periods, whenever the soil dries out. Mulch around the base of the plant with a thick layer of organic material annually. This keeps in moisture, prevents weeds and adds nutrients to the soil. In cold areas, protect the crown of the plant with a dry mulch of straw, bracken or similar in late autumn.

Feeding: Feed in spring with a granular fertiliser.

Pruning: Remove dead or damaged fronds as and when they appear.