Athyrium niponicum 'Pictum' (Japanese Painted Fern)

Athyrium niponicum 'Pictum' is a cultivar of Japanese painted fern, a deciduous fern variety that typically grows to around 18" tall. The 'Pictum' cultivar produces silvery-green fronds with purple-red veins and stems. Silvery green color persists when kept in optimal conditions, and frond tips may end up more creamy white in color than silver-green.

'Pictum' is shade-loving and low maintenance, requiring only part shade and fertile, organically-rich soil with good drainage to produce the best coloration, but so long as its kept in moist shade, it will continue to grow just fine. Works great as a bed filler or ground cover in shaded areas, in woodland gardens, or along streams and ponds. Though not native to the U.S., Athyrium niponicum presents no threat of becoming invasive due to its slow spreading nature, and makes for an excellent ornamental selection to break up the monotony or more common true green ferns.