If there were a hit parade of ferns the Japanese Painted Fern, Athyrium niponicum ‘Pictum’, would be a longstanding #1. Low growing and spreading, it is the most colorful of the hardy ferns, with silver covering most of the frond, sometimes with burgundy markings in the center. It is beautiful when used in mass but the graceful arching habit also looks great as a single specimen. It was formerly classified as Athyrium goeringianum 'Pictum'.

SALE 395300 Athyrium niponicum 'Pictum' - sale price    Add to Cart  
Part Shade-Shade / 12-18” / Zone4-9 / Quart Pots / $8.95 ea.   $6.00 ea.

Athyrium otophorum is sometimes called English Painted Fern. It’s actually native to Japan and China and mature fronds are an attractive shiny green. The colorful crosiers are dark maroon as they unfold. Young fronds are chartreuse with prominent purple veining. This medium sized fern is tolerant and easy to grow.

SALE 395325 Athyrium otophorum - sale price    Add to Cart
Part Shade-Shade / 12-18" / Zone5-8 / Quart Pots / $8.95 ea.   $6.00 ea.

Athyrium filix-femina 'Minutissimum' is a dwarf selection of our native Lady Fern. While it stays much shorter than the species, the clump stays tight and fills in very thickly. For its size it is a good, moderate spreader.

SALE 395250 Athyrium 'Minutissimum' - sale price     Add to Cart  
Part Shade-Shade / 6-12” / Zone4-8 / Quart Pots / $9.95 ea.   $6.25 ea. 

Can the full name really be Athyrium filix-femina ssp. angustum forma rubellum 'Lady in Red'? In any event it’s the hottest and most sought after new fern. Selected from the Northern Lady Fern it combines that delicate airy look with brilliant burgundy red stipes (stems). This is so new I haven’t seen a mature specimen in person yet but if its half as showy as its publicity photos this will be a must have for the shady garden. 

95295 Athyrium ‘Lady in Red' Sold Out
Part Shade-Shade / 24-30” / Zone4-8 / Quart Pots /

When most people think of ferns this is the group that comes to mind. Just the Lady Fern itself, Athyrium filix-femina, was so beloved by the Victorians that there are literally hundreds of fancy leaved cultivars. The straight species is attractive on its own, with soft and airy fronds and a full form. Although delicate in appearance it is actually tough and easy to grow, and in my experience will even tolerate some dryness.

SALE 395200 Athyrium filix-femina - sale price   Add to Cart
Part Shade-Shade / 12-24” / Zone4-8 / Quart Pots / $8.95 ea.   $6.00 ea.

Athyrium cyclosorum, the Western Lady Fern, is our largest native Athyrium. I've read that in its native habitat it can grow to 6', but will be much smaller here in the East. In some classification schemes this is still just a subspecies of Athyrium filix-femina.

SALE 395190 Athyrium cyclosorum - sale price    Add to Cart
Part Shade-Shade / 3-4' / Zone5-8 / Quart Pots / $9.95 ea.   $6.25 ea.

Athyrium niponicum 'Regal Red' is a new selection from Casa Flora. They say - “Handsome and ruffled, this high color selection is our most requested Painted Fern. The dark interior of the frond is contrasted by bright silver edges making each appear more than they are. The pinnules twist a little giving the frond a “fluffed-up” look.”

95320 Athyrium niponicum 'Regal Red' Sold Out
Part Shade-Shade / 12-18” / Zone4-9 / Quart Pots /

The Ghost Fern, Athyrium ‘Ghost’, is a new hybrid cross between the Japanese Painted and Lady Ferns. It inherited its upright form from Athyrium filix-femina, but the fronds are thicker and more substantial. From Athyrium niponicum ‘Pictum’ it derives its silver green color. The combination of full upright habit and silvery color make this form ideal for drifts and masses. I really like this new variety and think it has excellent potential as a shady groundcover.

95290 Athyrium 'Ghost' Sold Out
Part Shade-Shade / 24-30" / Zone4-8 / Quart Pots /

From England, Athyrium niponicum ‘Apple Court’ is a crested form of the Japanese Painted Fern, with the colors and markings of that most popular fern, but with fronds that are heavily crested at the tips. Perfect as a specimen in your shade garden.

95310 Athyrium 'Apple Court' Sold Out
Part Shade-Shade / 12-18" / Zone4-8 / Quart Pots /

Athyrium thelypteroides, is an Eastern native, adapted to our heat and humidity. The common name Silver Glade fern comes from the color of the juvenile sori and the underside of the frond.

95327 Athyrium thelypteroides  Sold Out
Part Shade-Shade / 2-3' / Zone4-9 / Quart Pots / $8.95 ea.

Nursery Propagated Ferns - We do not sell ferns, or any other plants for that matter, that have been collected in the wild. All of our ferns have been nursery propagated. This not only protects wild populations, but potted, nursery propagated ferns are much easier to establish in the garden than plants dug in the wild and shipped bareroot.