Athyrium niponicum 'Pictum'

Is a low maintenance Japanese painted fern hardy to Zone 3. This is one of the showiest ferns with gorgeous bluish green fronds which are heavily frosted with silver. Dark red stems bleed colour into the silvery foliage to create a stunning painted effect. 'Pictum' is a well-behaved, clumping fern easily grown in part to full shade and moist, well-drained, compost-rich soil. It will grow to be about 18" tall and produce a clump over 2' wide.
The magnificent texture and colour of this fern electrifies the shaded, dark areas of the garden. It is a wonderful companion to other shade loving perennials. Try it in combination with dark leafed Heuchera and blue foliage Hosta such as Halcyon or Bressingham Blue. In my garden I have paired it with Brunnera 'Jack Frost'. Wow what a combination! Add a white flowering Dicentra or Astilbe to complete this picture or a variegated grass such as Carex 'Silver Sceptre' or Carex 'Ice Dance'.



The Japanese Painted Fern lends itself well to a mass planting -- in a woodland setting, around a water feature or in a more formal setting this fern makes a strong visual impact. Even as a solitary specimen, in a container or the garden 'Pictum' is always eye-catching.