How to plant Athyrium
Athyrium are a broad genus of deciduous ferns with many common names including Lady fern, Japanese painted fern and American glade fern. This diverse group have feathery, divided fronds that arch gently outwards to splendid effect from spring through to autumn. These hardy shade loving plants enjoy damp woodlands and moisture retentive soils, making them perfect for a natural looking planting scheme beneath deciduous trees, or in planters shady courtyard gardens. Athyrium are one of the easiest ferns to grow, mingling effortlessly with a wide range of other shade-loving plants such as Hostas, Pulmonaria and other ferns.
How to plant
- Plant Athyrium in spring between February and May, ideally within a week of delivery.
- Soak the roots in water for 3-6 hours prior to planting. Pot into temporary 2 litre (or 15-20cm diameter) pots, using a good quality multi-purpose compost. Plant so that the roots are fully submerged in compost and with the crown/buds just level with the soil surface. Any emerging shoots or leaves should be left exposed above the soil surface.
- Grow them on in a sheltered spot outside for 2-4 months before planting them into suitable borders. When they’ve grown on enough to plant into borders, they should easily come out of the starter pot with the soil held intact by the roots.
- Athyrium prefers a reliably moist, but not waterlogged, neutral to acidic soil. Although perfectly hardy, they prefer a sheltered spot with protection from hard frosts and strong winds. Choose a position in dappled shade or full shade, allowing sufficient space between plants for the fronds to arch outwards at maturity. You can check their anticipated spread on our individual product pages.
- Water-in after planting and keep hydrated when in growth, particularly during the first year.
Aftercare
- Feathery fronds emerge in spring and persist throughout summer, arching outwards. The foliage will naturally die back in autumn and can then be trimmed away to just above ground level.
- Once established they need very little maintenance but do enjoy the benefits of an autumn mulch of leaf mould. Avoid covering the crown of the plant as this may lead to rotting.