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Lady in Red Fern

Athyrium felix-forma 'Lady in Red'

  • Vibrant Red Stems Light up Shady Corners with Year-Round Color and Texture
  • Thrives in Zones 3-8
  • Grows 2-3 ft Tall, 1-2 ft Wide
  • Deer Resistant, Rabbit Resistant
  • Top Pick for Foundation Planting in Cottage Gardens
Regular price $3435
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Plant Size

Planting & Care

Where to Plant

  • Sunlight: This fern thrives in full shade to partial shade. Aim for 2 to 4 hours of dappled morning sun to bring out the best red stem color, as total deep shade can cause the stems to look more muted.
  • Soil: Provide rich, organic soil that mimics a forest floor. If you have heavy clay, mix in plenty of compost or leaf mold to improve drainage and prevent crown rot.

Watering Requirements

During the first year, keep the soil consistently moist to help the shallow roots establish. Once mature, this fern is relatively resilient, but it will suffer from crispy fronds or go dormant early if the soil dries out completely. Aim for about 1 inch of water per week through irrigation or rainfall to maintain its lush appearance.

Pruning Tips

The Lady in Red Fern produces new fronds from its center crown each spring. In late winter or very early spring before new growth appears, cut the dead, brown fronds from the previous year down to the ground. This "spring cleaning" allows the new fiddleheads to emerge without being tangled in old debris and keeps the plant looking tidy.

Fertilizer Needs

Apply a balanced, slow release fertilizer or a layer of rich compost in early spring as new growth begins to unfurl. Avoid using high nitrogen fertilizers late in the summer. Excessive nitrogen late in the season encourages tender new growth that will not have time to harden off before the first frost, leading to winter damage.

Delivery and Shipping

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Ships in 7-10 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

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Description

Use these classic shade plants to add visual interest, texture, and contrast to low-light landscapes. Lady in Red Fern (Athyrium felix-forma 'Lady in Red') features bright green fronds with showy red stems. This is an excellent perennial for the shade!

Each spring, the season starts off with a breathtaking flush of light green fronds. But you'll see new leaves emerging throughout the summer, a welcome trait that makes this Fern appear fresh all season long. With their ornamental red stripe, they are also exceptionally beautiful.

Don't let their ethereal, delicate look fool you. These ferns thrive in areas with frigid winter temperatures. They are strong-growing, dependable, and tough, perfect for a low-maintenance shade garden. Try them in your trouble spots to slowly fill into a wonderful garden feature.

The leaves are held upright on dark, brilliant red-violet stems...which are better known as "Fern stripes". Add the lacy fronds to your cut flower arrangements as a backdrop for your featured flowers! Hardy throughout USDA planting zones 3 to 8, these are verdant cold-hardy and heat-tolerant perennial Ferns!

Planting and Application:

Rely on these sultry beauties as a staple for your shade gardens, perennial borders, Cottage gardens, and woodland plantings. Add them to your outdoor containers as a "Thriller" front and center. They also make a fantastic "Filler" plant in modern large arrangements.

From dappled to dim conditions, Ferns have evolved to make the most out of available light. Try a long row of these charming plants along your shaded side yard. Or, add zest in front of taller evergreen shrubs. Lady in Red Fern is a deciduous, easy-to-grow fern that makes a great blending plant for Hosta and other large-leaf plants, such as the round, red-purple leaves of Heuchera.

These Ferns' stripes will coordinate colorwise with the Heuchera leaves, and they'll become an amazing study in contrasts over time. After all, shade gardens are subtle, and require you to take the time to ponder texture, form, shape, and color.

They'll add a boldly ornamental element to mass plantings. Anywhere you've got a shady spot, Lady in Red Ferns makes a great groundcover. They'll slowly grow together to suppress weeds and provide seasonal cover for birds.

Include a comfy bench or hammock near a stand of these astounding Ferns. Create a Meditation Garden on your property! Add a restful note to your space, even in the middle of the city. This tough plant handles urban conditions without trouble. Include a wide bed of Lady in Red Fern on the shaded side as a special backdrop, or around a blissfully splashing fountain in their planting bed or Rain Garden. You can almost hear them grow if you listen closely.

  • Lacy Green Leaves on Showy, Red-Violet Stems
  • Fine-Textured Foliage Plant
  • Verdant Fountains of Vase-Shaped Greenery
  • Dramatic Filler in Cut Flower Arrangements
  • Spreads Slowly to Become Lush Groundcover

#ProPlantTips for Care:

Lady Ferns thrive where other plants fail! This graceful Fern variety loves rich, organic, well-drained soil that is evenly moist. Add a few handfuls of compost to your backfill soil while planting. Lady in Red Ferns prefers to be grown in partial to full shade. Their root systems appreciate the beneficial support of Nature Hills Root Booster. It creates a symbiotic relationship that helps your plants access water and nutrients most efficiently.

Provide a regular schedule of supplemental water, if you don't get adequate rainfall. These woodland plants love a layer of wood chip mulch, spread to a depth of 3 inches to keep their roots cool and moist.

For en masse plantings, space 18 inches apart on center, measuring from the center of one to the center of the next. Add Mulch between the plants to control weeds. Ferns can be divided and transplanted in spring and early summer.

  • Tolerates Full Shade or Partial Shade
  • Any Rich Organic Well-Drained Soil
  • Prefers Consistent Moisture
  • Extremely Cold Tolerant
  • Cultivar of The Native Lady Fern
  • Deer & Rabbits Don't Prefer the Taste

Recreate the delights of a pretty woodland in your landscape. Enjoy Lady in Red Fern throughout your growing season. Order Lady in Red Fern from the plant experts at Nature Hills Nursery this season!

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the light requirements for Lady in Red Fern—partial shade, full shade, or some sun?

  • Lady in Red Fern thrives in partial to full shade conditions, from dappled to dim light. These ferns have evolved to make the most of available light in low-light landscapes. Plant them in your shaded side yards or in front of evergreen shrubs where they'll flourish without direct sun.

What type of soil does Lady in Red Fern need (moist, well-drained, acidic, etc.)?

  • Lady in Red Fern thrives in moist, well-draining soil with consistent moisture levels. Like most ferns, it prefers slightly acidic to neutral pH conditions. Plant in organic-rich soil that doesn't dry out completely between waterings for best results.

Is Lady in Red Fern deer-resistant or rabbit-resistant?

  • Lady in Red Fern is naturally deer and rabbit resistant, as most ferns are unpalatable to these garden pests. The tough, lacy fronds deter browsing animals while thriving in zones 3-8. Plant them confidently in problem areas where deer frequent your shade garden.

How do I care for Lady in Red Fern in winter—should I cut back fronds or leave them?

  • Lady in Red Fern is deciduous and naturally dies back in winter across zones 3-8. Leave the fronds through fall for visual interest, then cut them to ground level in late winter before new growth emerges in spring.

Does Lady in Red Fern need fertilizer, and how often?

  • Lady in Red Fern thrives without regular fertilization in most garden soils. A light application of compost or balanced fertilizer in early spring can boost growth, but these hardy perennials (zones 3-8) are naturally low-maintenance. Shop at Nature Hills for this easy-care shade solution.

Will Lady in Red Fern ship to Alaska, Hawaii, or internationally?

  • Lady in Red Fern ships within the continental US only. This hardy zones 3-8 perennial cannot be shipped to Alaska, Hawaii, or international locations due to agricultural restrictions. Check your local nurseries for availability in these areas.

What is the shipping time for Lady in Red Fern plants, and how do they arrive?

  • Lady in Red Fern ships as bare root or potted plants depending on season and availability. Most orders ship within 7-10 business days during the growing season. These hardy zone 3-8 perennials arrive ready to plant in your shade garden immediately upon delivery.

Is Lady in Red Fern toxic to pets or safe around dogs and cats?

  • Lady in Red Fern is generally considered safe around pets, as most true ferns are non-toxic to dogs and cats. However, it's always wise to discourage pets from eating any garden plants. Place these hardy zone 3-8 ferns in areas where curious pets are less likely to nibble.

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