Japanese Painted Fern

Ferns and Columbine
Ferns and Columbine

Zones: 4 to 9
Light: Shade to Part Shade
Bloom Time: Foliage Only
Height: 12″ to 24″ (depending on the variety)
Spread: 18″ to 36″

Japanese painted ferns are a blessing to garden designers.

With their blue green leaves, burgundy variations, and compact growth habit they are an extremely interesting addition to any shade garden.

Like most ferns, these perennials don’t like to dry out, so make sure to provide consistent water. Otherwise, they are very low maintenance plants.

Japanese Painted Fern 'Pictum'
Japanese Painted Fern ‘Pictum’

Variation “pictum” (find it HERE*) has burgundy stems and pewter colored leaves that reflect light.

Japanese Painted Fern 'Ghost'
Japanese Painted Fern ‘Ghost’

Whereas ‘ghost’ (find it HERE*) has silvery green fronds that brighten up a dark space.

Click HERE for more hardy fern varieties.

This post was originally published on June 17, 2020 but was updated with new content on December 8, 2021.