Athyrium filix-femina angustum rubellum (Lady in Red Fern)

Athyrium filix-femina angustum rubellum (Lady in Red Fern)

Attractive dark green fronds with deep maroon-red central stems; clump-forming and dense, perfect for shady spots; beautiful in masses on the edges of ponds or streams

Lady in Red Fern is a dense herbaceous fern with a shapely form and gracefully arching fronds. It brings an extremely fine and delicate texture to the garden composition and should be used to full effect.

This is a relatively low maintenance plant, and usually looks its best without pruning, although it will tolerate pruning. Deer don't particularly care for this plant and will usually leave it alone in favor of tastier treats. It has no significant negative characteristics.

Lady in Red Fern is primarily valued in the garden for its cascading habit of growth. Its attractive ferny bipinnately compound leaves emerge antique red in spring, turning dark green in colour throughout the season. The red stems are very colorful and add to the overall interest of the plant.

Lady in Red Fern will grow to be about 3 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 24 inches. Its foliage tends to remain dense right to the ground, not requiring facer plants in front. It grows at a slow rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 15 years. As an herbaceous perennial, this plant will usually die back to the crown each winter, and will regrow from the base each spring. Be careful not to disturb the crown in late winter when it may not be readily seen!