Athyrium niponicum

Athyrium niponicum ‘Pictum’ is a low growing fern with striking, triangular silvery green fronds with maroon highlights. Our planting is underneath a crabapple tree in deep shade with just a little late evening sun. It will spread to form a dense mat of low, gorgeous fronds if happy, and does not appear to be deterred by tree root competition if kept shaded and reasonably moist. Our planting does not get more than 8 inches high. Deer have never bothered this or other ferns in our garden. ‘Burgundy Lace’ is a slower-spreading cultivar with more spectacular burgundy highlights, especially when fronds first emerge. Our ‘Burgundy Lace’ gets significant late afternoon sun and is in drier soil, without any apparent negative effects.