Common Lady Fern Athyrium filix-femina
Other Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- a-THEE-ree-um FEE-liks-FE-mi-nah
- Description
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Lady fern is a deciduous fern in the Athyriaceae family that is native to temperate Europe, Asia, and Africa. It is found growing in moist shady woodland conditions and is very cold tolerant. Genus name comes from the Greek athyros meaning "doorless" in regards to the slowly opening hinged indusia (spore covers). The specific epithet comes from Latin filix meaning fern and femina meaning woman. Hence the common name of lady fern.
This is an easy-to-grow fern in amended moist well-drained soils in full to partial shade. It will tolerate more sun if the soil is kept moist. Propagation can be done by dividing clumps and planting them at soil level. The spores can also be planted. Lady fern will reach 2-3 feet high and spread 1-3 ft wide.
The fronds of lady fern can grow up to 3 feet long and 1 foot wide in a graceful arching manner. The spores occur on the undersides and are concealed by indusium that opens to release spores.
This non-aggressive fern will slowly spread to form clumps making it an easily maintained ground cover. It can be used in the border of shady gardens, along woodlands, ponds or streams. In the southeast, the southern lady fern is a more appropriate choice.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No significant problems
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- 'Frizelliae'
Dwarf variety growing 1 foot tall - 'Vernoniae Cristatum'
Crested form growing 2 x 2 feet
- 'Frizelliae'
- 'Frizelliae', 'Vernoniae Cristatum'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Frizelliae'
Dwarf variety growing 1 foot tall - 'Vernoniae Cristatum'
Crested form growing 2 x 2 feet
- 'Frizelliae'
- 'Frizelliae', 'Vernoniae Cristatum'
- Tags:
-
-
Attributes:
- Genus:
- Athyrium
- Species:
- filix-femina
- Family:
- Athyriaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Division
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Europe, Asia and Africa
- Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
- Deer and rabbit resistantdee
- Dimensions:
- Height: 2 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Fern
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Habit/Form:
- Arching
- Clumping
- Spreading
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Medium
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
- Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- High Organic Matter
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12 inches-3 feet
- NC Region:
- Mountains
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Description:
- Spores form on the undersides if the frond
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Flowers:
- Flower Description:
- No flowers
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Leaves:
- Leaf Type:
- Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Whorled
- Leaf Shape:
- Elliptical
- Leaf Margin:
- Lobed
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- > 6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- > 6 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Large light green fronds arise from a central point forming a clump. They are three pinnately divided into pinnae. The lower pinnae are shorter than the middle. Shape of the frond is elliptical. Spores are on the underside of the pinnae and are covered in brown indusium. Fronds can reach 3 feet long and 1 foot wide.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Green
- Red/Burgundy
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Description:
- Lower section of the green to reddish stems may have papery scales at the base
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Naturalized Area
- Pond
- Riparian
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Children's Garden
- Cottage Garden
- English Garden
- Garden for the Blind
- Shade Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Small groups
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Heavy Shade
- Rabbits
