Unpack bare roots or rhizomes on arrival and plant them within a week. Until then, keep them somewhere cool and ensure the roots remain slightly moist, never wet.
Out of season
To turn a shady area into a lush space for fascinating foliage, make sure you include Athyrium 'Metallicum'—it’ll work wonders with its steely good looks! The silvery-grey foliage gives this remarkable Athyrium, also known as painted lady fern, a modern, sculptural look. These fronds uncurl in a fascinating way from tight coils in spring, and flaunt a frosted appearance which looks cool and bright from spring to autumn. Take a closer look and you’ll see the most perfect shade of purple running through Athyrium 'Metallicum's veins.
Favouring full or dappled shade and damp soil, this Athyrium 'Metallicum' fern has a timeless beauty which will stand out in any low-light space, be it a woodland stumpery or a secluded patio area. It’s low in height which makes it a pretty filler for seasonal mixed planters, or handy for the front of a border. Hardy perennial Athyrium niponicum f. metallicum is deciduous so it will naturally die back for winter, which provides the perfect opportunity to underplant with spring bulbs like shade-loving Scilla sibirica which will be in bloom among the emerging fronds, or in a combination with shade tolerant perennials like Aquilegia, Brunnera, or Thalictrum.
Quantity
Plant profile
Plant calendar
Remove the packaging straight away, check the compost and water thoroughly if dry. Check the plant’s hardiness before placing it outdoors. Plant into a border or permanent container within a month, choosing the position recommended for the variety. Keep the top of the root ball level with the surrounding soil, firm gently and water well.
Soak the roots in water for three to six hours immediately before planting. Keep any crown, buds or emerging shoots above the water where possible.
Pot most bare roots into 15–20cm pots filled with peat-free multipurpose compost. Large or depth-sensitive roots, including peonies, are often best planted directly into borders.
Arrange the roots naturally without bending them. Cover the roots completely, positioning the crown and buds at the depth recommended for that particular perennial.
Keep pots in a sheltered outdoor position and water whenever the compost begins to dry. Grow on until roots hold the compost together when lifted from the pot.
Plant into a suitable border or permanent container once well rooted. Add a label and water regularly throughout the first growing season while the perennial establishes.
- Botanical name
- Athyrium niponicum f. metallicum
- Established height
- 50-70cm
- Established spread
- 30-50cm
- Growing skill
- Easy to grow
- Habit
-
Upright
Clump-forming - Hardiness
- Fully hardy
- Leaf colour
- Green, white, purple vains
- Mouse resistant
- No
- Plant size
- 1
- Plant spacing
- 5 plants per m2
- Pollinator friendly
- Yes
- Position
- Sheltered
- Rabbit resistant
- Yes
- Scented
- No
- Soil acidity
- Any
- Soil moisture
-
Damp
Free draining - Soil type
-
Loam
Clay
Loam-based compost
Sandy - Suitable for
-
Large containers
Borders
Cottage gardens
Low maintenance gardens
Pots - Sunlight
-
Full shade
Partial shade
Dappled shade - Toxicity
- No report
- Years to establish
- 2-3 years
Pollinator-friendly
Great for shade
RHS Recommended
Perennial
Fully hardy
Packed peat-free
Low maintenance
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Athyrium 'Metallicum' reviews
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