Athyrium niponicum 'Burgundy Lace' (Japanese Painted Fern)

Athyrium niponicum 'Burgundy Lace' is a cultivar of Japanese painted fern, a deciduous fern variety that typically grows to around 18" tall. The 'Burgundy Lace' cultivar produces fronds that emerge in a dark purple-burgundy hue before maturing to a silvery-green in the late spring. Silvery green eventually matures further to a flat, matte green, which contrasts well with darker colored stems.

This shade-loving fern is low maintenance and requires part shade and fertile, organically-rich soil with good drainage to thrive and produce the best coloration, but so long as its kept in moist shade, it will continue to grow. Works great as a bed filler or ground cover in shaded areas, in woodland gardens, or along streams and ponds.