Each feathery frond’s rachis, or midrib, is typically a lovely burgundy color that transitions to smaller, gray-green leaflets of silver-white as they progress to the tips. They’re pieces of natural art and accent other garden plants beautifully—whether they act as a stand-alone star or as a soft complement to bold colors and textures in the garden.
Japanese Painted Fern Care Must-Knows
Most ferns can be more temperamental than your average garden perennial. The most important thing to remember is that these ferns can’t tolerate full sun. Particularly in the harsh afternoon light, the delicate leaves can burn and scorch, ruining their beauty. However, because of their colorful nature, Japanese painted ferns can tolerate part sun quite well. They’ll typically sport the most vibrant colors with some direct sunlight. The best exposure is morning sun, so there’s less risk of burning from afternoon sun and heat. They can also do well in full shade—just expect the colors to be a bit more muted, though no less beautiful. Most ferns need constant moisture. However, once established, Japanese painted ferns can become drought tolerant. Regardless, keeping these plants evenly moist for the most vigorous growth is best. Their ideal soil condition is rich in well-draining organic matter. Ferns make excellent garden plants because they typically have very few problems. Japanese painted ferns are relatively slow-growing, so there’s little risk of them becoming too aggressive and choking out neighboring plants. In ideal conditions, they can form large clumps and be considered groundcovers. As they grow, you can dig up and divide your Japanese painted ferns to help continue to spread them around. If they’re thriving, you may even see some sporelings pop up.
More Varieties of Japanese Painted Fern
Lady in Red lady fern
Athyrium filix-femina ‘Lady in Red’ has distinctive red stems. Compared to most other ferns, it is relatively tolerant of dry soil. Zones 4-9
Branford Beauty fern
Athyrium ‘Branford Beauty’ is a plant with stunning upright silvery fronds with red stems. Zones 5-8
Crested Japanese painted fern
Athyrium niponicum ‘Applecourt’ bears textural, crested fronds marked with silver and burgundy. Zones 5-8
Japanese painted fern
Athyrium niponicum pictum is one of the best-known ferns. Its silvery fronds tinged with burgundy make an elegant container or garden accent. Zones 5-8
Painted lady fern
Athyrium ‘Ghost’ has silvery white fronds and an upright growth pattern. Plants reach 2 feet tall and produce new fronds all summer long. Zones 4-8
Silver Falls Japanesse painted fern
Athyrium niponicum ‘Silver Falls’ has pinkish red stems and reddish purple veins. It’s most colorful when it gets a few hours of sun per day. Zones 5-8
Tatting fern
Athyrium filix-femina ‘Frizelliae’ is a dwarf, 1-foot-tall plant with rounded ball-like leaflets attached to the main stem, resembling a lacy string of beads. It is a type of lady fern. Zones 4-8
Japanese Painted Fern Companion Plants
Lady’s Mantle
Lady’s mantle looks great in the garden and in a vase. Its scalloped leaves catch rain or dewdrops, making them look dusted with jewels. The chartreuse flowers appear in playful, frothy clusters above the foliage. Lady’s mantle is ideal for softening the edge of a shaded path or creating a groundcover in dappled shade.
Lungwort
In early spring, lungwort’s brilliant blue, pink, or white flowers bloom despite the coldest chill. The rough basal leaves, spotted or plain, continue to be handsome into winter. Lungworts are workhorses planted close as a weed-discouraging groundcover or in borders like edgings or colorful accent plants. Provide high-humus soil that retains moisture. Although lungworts tolerate dry conditions, be alert for mildew.
Ajuga
Ajuga is one of the most indispensable groundcovers around. It has many uses and looks great much of the year. Also known as carpetweed or bugleweed, ajuga forms a 6-inch-tall mat of glossy leaves. The leaves are often colored with shades of purple, white, silver, cream, or pink. Individual plants grow as a rosette but intertwine to form a solid carpet that withstands some foot traffic. Blue, lavender, pink, or white flower spikes adorn plants from spring to early summer. Ajuga works in rock gardens, at the front of beds and borders, under leggy shrubs or small trees, along paths, or in other places in your landscaping.
