Japanese Painted Fern
Athyrium niponicum 'Pictum'
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Specifications
| Hardiness Zone | 4a to 9b |
|---|---|
| Sunlight | Partial shade |
| Height | |
| Width | |
| Growth Rate | Moderate |
| Watering Needs | Moderate |
| Preferred Soil | Peaty |
| Landscape Use | Rock Garden, Border, Woodland Garden |
| Growth Habit | Bushy, Compact, Upright |
| Blooms In | Spring |
| Foliage Color | Green, Other, Purple, Variegated |
| Plant Life Cycle | Perennial |
| Plant Characteristics | Cold hardy, Deer-resistant, Wet Soils, Groundcover, Container Friendly, Drought resistant, Flowering, Attracts pollinators |
| Botanical Name | |
| Does Not Ship To | AK, HI, ID, MT, PR |
Description
Make your landscape sing this season! It's easy when you choose the right plants to breathe life and color into even the dimly lit corners of your yard. Put the beautiful foliage of Japanese Painted Fern (Athyrium niponicum 'Pictum') will have all eyes turning towards this shade-loving attention-getter!
Japanese Painted Fern has a 'weeping' shape. It develops into a grand garden fountain...but remains miniature-sized. These gorgeous ferns feature an incredible display of "painted" grayish-green leaves. You'll be fascinated by their purplish veining and accents and entranced by their overlay of silvery hues.
This exquisite selection is a garden standout and every leaf is a masterpiece! This is a great addition to your landscape. Even beginning gardeners will be able to enjoy watching this fern grow and spread to cover ground. Growing throughout chilly USDA planting zones 4-9, these colorful perennial Ferns grow under 2 feet tall and wide at maturity!
Planting and Application:
Perhaps you've tried other plants in your toughest shaded spaces...but nothing seems to take hold and thrive. Never fear, the rugged Japanese Painted Fern has won top accolades for good reason! Japanese Painted Fern performs beautifully in those mossy, low places in your yard that always stay a little wet. It thrives even in deep shade and in containers as a focal point planting!
Grant the shady spots in your garden some well-deserved attention. This award-winning choice brightens up the lowest layers of your design with its intricate, finely cut, silvery leaflets and dark maroon midribs and stems. Working under mature trees and their dappled-to-shaded understories, and along the north side of your home.
You'll never overlook the silvery, gray-green, and maroon hues of each feather frond. Turn a high-profile eyesore into a true design feature. While a single specimen can look extraordinary in small space gardens...this plant truly shines in a massed planting. Space them 12 inches apart and they'll grow together in a magnificent groundcover.
Run them all along the eastern edge of your Hydrangea beds. They'll bridge the gap to ground your mixed shrub borders with an elegant ribbon of color. Pair Japanese Painted Fern with Hostas and Heucheras for a spectacular shade garden. They'll thrive in low-lying spots beside stream beds.
More prosaically, why not elevate the look of that despised hollow by the gutter with some Rushes and a mix of our flowering Astilbe - turning it into a Rain Garden? This treatment would be amazing at the edge of a pond or water feature. You'll want to site a dock with a glider to take in the beauty of this thoughtful arrangement each morning with your cup of coffee.
Try them as a hard-working underplanting for your favorite Japanese Maple tree. If you have the room, plan an organic, free-form grouping of three or five...and run Japanese Painted Fern under all of them in a well-mulched bed. Don't forget the hammock stand and outdoor table to while away many an afternoon in style!
No Zen Garden or Meditation Garden would be complete without this powerful visual element at ground level. Soften the north side of placed boulders with several Japanese Painted Ferns, then add fine gravel mulch and rake regularly in a mindful meditation.
Use these perennial Ferns throughout your shaded areas, or give them as a very thoughtful gift plant to someone you love.
- Perennial of the Year
- Striking Foliage Makes This A Favorite!
- Gray-Green Leaves With Silver Overcast, Purple Stems, Veins & Accents
- Include Beautiful Leaves in Cut Arrangements
- High Impact, Spreading Groundcover, Landscape Fill, Containers & Specimens
#ProPlantTips for Care:
You might think it would be finicky, but luckily, this Fern is also very durable and low maintenance! This is not the right choice for full-sun locations! Give Japanese Painted Fern full shade, or a bit of morning sun to bring out the colors even more. It loves moist soil and needs well-drained soil. The roots don't like to stay sopping wet.
A consistent schedule of moderate water delivers the best results. However, once the roots are well-established in the landscape, these fantastic workhorses will tolerate short periods of dryness. A 3-4 inch deep layer of wood chip mulch over the root systems to keep them cool and moist. Never allow mulch to rest directly against the burgundy stems...pull it back for proper air circulation.
This plant will grow in a slowly spreading fashion unless planted in rich soil to boost its performance. Add a few handfuls of compost during planting to enrich your soil...and top-dress with compost every other year or so.
This 2004 perennial plant of the year certainly deserves Nature Hills Root Booster during planting. The symbiotic ingredients work non-stop over the life of the plant to support each of the tiny feeder roots in their quest for nutrients and moisture.
Prune in early spring to trim off any winter damage and divide every 3-5 years to keep the clumps growing vigorously. We recommend you plant several, so you can always have a few fronds to include in cunning cut flower arrangements.
- Does Well in Full Shade to Partial Shade
- Extremely Cold Hardy
- Any Rich Organic Well-Drained Soil
- Prefers Consistent Moisture
- Deer & Rabbits Don't Prefer the Taste
- Low Maintenance
Place your order for our expertly grown Japanese Painted Fern today! This beloved perennial is a popular favorite for many...please order enough plants to complete your entire project without delay. Japanese Painted Ferns have earned their place in people's hearts the world over...order yours today at NatureHills.com!
Planting & Care
Delivery and Shipping
Shipping Rates
Ships in 3-5 business days • Tracking provided • Weather protected
| Under $50 | $9.99 |
| $50 - $99.99 | $14.99 |
| $100 - $149.99 | $16.99 |
| $150 - $198.99 | $24.99 |
| $199+ | FREE |
✓ Zone-specific timing • ✓ Professional packaging • ✓ Health guarantee
Find on Page
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They’re still quite small but very healthy looking.
Japanese Painted Fern takes a season or two to really settle in and show off, so healthy plants at this stage is exactly what you want to see. Give them some time and good moisture and they tend to fill out beautifully. Thanks for sharing the update, Marianne.
This is a hardy fern in zone 6. It survives with neglect and thrives with minimum care. Spreads and transplants well. Sparks comments in shade garden with hostas and impatience. A favorite for the casual gardener.
Dear Mulch M.,
Thank you so much for sharing your experience with the Japanese Painted Fern! We're delighted to hear that it thrives in your Zone 6 garden and fits perfectly alongside your hostas and impatiens. Your note about its hardiness and easy spread is a wonderful point for other casual gardeners considering adding this charming fern to their shade gardens.
If you ever want to help your fern reach its best potential, just ensuring consistent moisture and occasional mulching can further boost its health and spread. For tips on uplifting a shade garden with complementary plants, feel free to explore our blog or reach out anytime—we’re always happy to help with personalized suggestions!
Wishing you happy planting,
The Nature Hills Plant Experts
I do not have a plant that is quite as uniquely colored as the Japanese Painted fern. So pretty!
Hi Faith,
Thank you so much for sharing your appreciation of the Japanese Painted Fern! We’re delighted to hear how much you enjoy its uniquely beautiful foliage—its silvery-green and deep purple tones do make it a standout in any garden. If you're looking to enhance or care for it further, a shaded spot with rich, moist soil will really bring out those vibrant colors year after year. Also, occasionally removing any older, browning fronds can help keep your fern looking fresh and dazzling.
If you ever want tips on complementing it with other shade-loving plants or need care advice, don’t hesitate to reach out. We’re here to help your garden thrive as beautifully as your fern!
Rooting for your garden’s success,
Your Nature Hills Plant Care Team
I do not have a plant that is quite as uniquely colored as the Japanese Painted fern. So pretty!
Dear Faith,
Thank you so much for sharing your lovely thoughts about the Japanese Painted Fern! We couldn’t agree more—its uniquely variegated foliage truly adds a beautiful splash of color and texture to any garden space. It's wonderful to hear how much you appreciate its distinctive look.
If you’re ever interested in accentuating the colors of your fern further, placing it in Part to Full Shade with moist, well-draining soil might help preserve those silvery and deep purple hues so characteristic of this plant. Also, gently removing any dead fronds can keep your fern looking its vibrant best. You might enjoy exploring companion plants with similar shade-loving habits, like hostas or astilbes, for a harmonious shade garden palette.
Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you’d like tips on helping your painted fern thrive or suggestions for other unique ferns and foliage plants to complement your collection.
Wishing you happy planting,
The Nature Hills Plant Experts
Love the colors of the Japanese Painted fern. Mine does well in the shade of my lilac shrubs.
Dear June B.,
Thank you so much for sharing your love for the Japanese Painted Fern! It’s wonderful to hear that its beautiful colors are thriving in the shade of your lilac shrubs. Japanese Painted Ferns are indeed perfect for adding color and texture to shaded garden spots.
If you ever want to enhance your fern’s vibrant foliage further, consider occasional fertilizing with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer in spring, and ensure consistent moisture—just be careful to avoid soggy soil to keep the roots healthy. Also, gently raking away fallen leaves can help reduce debris that might compete for nutrients.
We’re delighted to hear your fern is doing so well, and please don’t hesitate to reach out if you’d like tips on companion plants or shade care to create even more garden charm.
Bloom on,
The Nature Hills Plant Knowledge Team
Love the colors of the Japanese Painted fern. Mine does well in the shade of my lilac shrubs.
Dear June Bug,
Thank you so much for sharing your lovely experience with your Japanese Painted Fern! We're delighted to hear you're enjoying the beautiful colors and how well it’s flourishing in the shade of your lilac shrubs. Those ferns really do add a lovely contrast with their silvery fronds, especially in shadier spots like yours.
If you ever want to keep that vibrant look year-round, consider occasionally misting the fern during drier seasons to mimic its natural humidity, which can help maintain the sheen on its foliage. Also, feeding it with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer in spring can give it an extra boost as it emerges from dormancy. We're thrilled your fern is thriving in its cozy spot!
Thanks again for your thoughtful review—it's wonderful to see your garden happiness grow.
Wishing you happy planting,
The Nature Hills Plant Experts
This is a hardy fern in zone 6. It survives with neglect and thrives with minimum care. Spreads and transplants well. Sparks comments in shade garden with hostas and impatience. A favorite for the casual gardener.
Hi mulch maniac,
Thank you so much for sharing your thoughtful review of the Japanese Painted Fern! We're delighted to hear how well it’s thriving in your zone 6 garden and blending beautifully with your hostas and impatiens. Its ability to spread and transplant easily certainly makes it a versatile choice for both seasoned and casual gardeners alike. If you ever want to encourage even more lush growth, lightly moist, well-drained soil paired with dappled shade tends to be ideal for these graceful ferns.
We appreciate you highlighting its resilience and minimal care needs, as those qualities help fellow gardeners feel confident welcoming this elegant fern into their shade spaces. Should you ever have questions about companion plants or shade garden design, don’t hesitate to reach out—we’d love to help your garden continue to flourish!
Rooting for your garden’s success,
Your Nature Hills Plant Care Team
