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.

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.