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Lady Fern

Athyrium Filix-Femina

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Overview

The Lady Fern (Athyrium filix-femina) is a deciduous perennial with delicate, lacy fronds that unfurl to reveal a fresh, pale green in spring. Thriving in zones 4-8, it reaches a height of 2-3 feet and a spread of 1.5-2.5 feet. This fern prefers partial to full shade and moist, well-drained soil. Ideal for woodland gardens, it adds texture and is tolerant of cold temperatures but requires protection from strong winds.

Sun Half, ShadeWater Extra in Summer, HighZones 3–9Type Fern

Lady Fern (Athyrium Filix-Femina) — fern for half or shade

Culture

Sun: Half, Shade
Water: Extra in Summer, High
USDA zones: 3–9

Shape & size

Classification

Type: Fern
Family: Polypodiaceae

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Photos (149)

Lady Fern (Athyrium Filix-Femina) — bringing lightness to shaded areas.<br><br>Thriving in USDA hardiness zones 4 through 8; ideal for woodland gardens

Lady Fern (Athyrium Filix-Femina) — mimicking its natural forest floor habitat; ideal for woodland gardens, image 79

Lady Fern (Athyrium Filix-Femina) — the Lady Fern prefers moist; feathery texture in the landscape, image 119

Lady Fern (Athyrium Filix-Femina) — with a spread approximately half its height; ideal for woodland gardens

Lady Fern (Athyrium Filix-Femina) — bright green fronds emerge in spring; remove old fronds in early spring to make way for new growth, image 96

Lady Fern (Athyrium Filix-Femina) — delicate fronds that can reach lengths of 2 to 5 feet

Lady Fern (Athyrium Filix-Femina) — clumping habit makes it an excellent option for borders and understory plantings; feathery texture in the, image 80

Lady Fern (Athyrium Filix-Femina) — The Lady Fern offers a tranquil and natural aesthetic that enhances any garden with its grace and texture, image 83

Lady Fern (Athyrium Filix-Femina) — This fern prefers partial to full shade and moist, well-drained soil

Lady Fern (Athyrium Filix-Femina) — scientifically referred to as Athyrium filix-femina

Lady Fern (Athyrium Filix-Femina) — well-drained soil rich in organic matter and is best suited to partial to full shade

Lady Fern (Athyrium Filix-Femina) — feathery texture in the landscape, image 95

Lady Fern (Athyrium Filix-Femina) — This fern prefers partial to full shade and moist, well-drained soil; remove old fronds in early spring to make, image 66

Lady Fern (Athyrium Filix-Femina) — well-drained soil rich in organic matter and is best suited to partial to full shade; remove old fronds in, image 99

Lady Fern (Athyrium Filix-Femina) — clumping habit makes it an excellent option for borders and understory plantings; feathery texture in the, image 101

Lady Fern (Athyrium Filix-Femina) — feathery texture in the landscape, image 74

Lady Fern (Athyrium Filix-Femina) — is an elegant and versatile perennial fern widely cherished in woodland garden settings; ideal for woodland, image 91

Lady Fern (Athyrium Filix-Femina) — feathery texture in the landscape, image 32

Lady Fern (Athyrium Filix-Femina) — mimicking its natural forest floor habitat; ideal for woodland gardens, image 100

Lady Fern (Athyrium Filix-Femina) — delicate fronds that can reach lengths of 2 to 5 feet; remove old fronds in early spring to make way for new growth

Lady Fern (Athyrium Filix-Femina) — Thriving in zones 4-8, it reaches a height of 2-3 feet and a spread of 1.5-2.5 feet; feathery texture in the, image 44

Lady Fern (Athyrium Filix-Femina) — scientifically referred to as Athyrium filix-femina; remove old fronds in early spring to make way for new, image 48

Lady Fern (Athyrium Filix-Femina) — feathery texture in the landscape

Lady Fern (Athyrium Filix-Femina) — with a spread approximately half its height

Photographs by 13 contributors

Wasp32, CC BY 4.0 · source
Dax Ledesma (iNaturalist), CC BY 4.0 · source
homeredwardprice, CC BY 2.0 · source
Agnieszka Kwiecień, Nova, CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
Krzysztof Ziarnek, Kenraiz, CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
Rosser1954, CC BY-SA 3.0 · source
Forest & Kim Starr, CC BY 3.0 · source
Ryan Hodnett, CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
Ryan Somma, CC BY 2.0 · source
C T Johansson, CC BY 3.0 · source
Chris Light, CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
Homer Edward Price, CC BY 2.0 · source
David J. Stang, CC BY-SA 4.0 · source

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