How Big Do Painted Ferns Get In Landscape?

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Despite the fragile appearance of the Japanese painted fern, it is actually one of the easiest ferns to grow, both in the landscape and when produced in containers. It survives to temperatures of -32º F, giving it hardiness in USDA Zones 4-8. Plants have a great landscape habit, reaching 12-18 inches tall and wide.

Learning how to grow a Japanese painted fern allows the plant to reach its optimum height of 12 to 18 inches (31-46 cm.) around and in height.

how big do painted ferns get in landscape?

Japanese Painted Fern (Athyrium niponicum ‘pictum’) received the Perennial Plant of the Year Award in 2004 from the North American Perennial Plant Association.

The deeply cut, light green fronds are 6 to 9” wide and 2-3 feet long. The color of the stems intensifies as the plants mature. Plant lady ferns in full to part shade, and give young plants plenty of room to reach full size, which is 24-30” tall and 18-24” wide.


⏯ – Learning About Japanese Painted Fern


FAQ – 💬


⏯ – How to grow the 2022 Perennial Plant of the Year Japanese Painted Fern


⚡Popular questions on the topic: “how big do painted ferns get in landscape?”⚡

How big do painted ferns get?

Japanese Painted Fern

genus nameAthyrium
height1 to 3 feet
width1 to 2 feet wide
foliage colorPurple/Burgundy Gray/Silver
season featuresColorful Fall Foliage

👉 www.bhg.com.

Do painted ferns spread?

With a graceful arching growth habit and a lovely spreading form, Japanese painted fern plants lend a softness to the landscape and temper large-leaved shade perennials like hostas.
👉 savvygardening.com.

How fast do painted ferns grow?

The fern is a slow-growing plant that adds about 12 inches to its overall size each year.
👉 www.thespruce.com.

How far apart do I plant Japanese painted fern?

Space your ferns 12 inches apart. They will slowly grow together, over a period of years. These ferns like moist well-drained acidic soil, pH 4.5 – 6.5. Although they like to grow in moist soil, they don't like soggy soil which can cause root rot.
👉 dengarden.com.

How do you plant painted ferns?

Where to Plant Japanese Painted Ferns. Japanese painted fern plants thrive when light and soil conditions make them happy. Gentle morning sun and a rich, composted soil are vital to the proper care for Japanese painted ferns. Consistently moist and well-draining soil optimizes growth.
👉 www.gardeningknowhow.com.

What goes well with Japanese painted fern?

Pair Japanese Painted fern with Heuchera. Both will add tons of color to shady corners. Hosta, particularly blue-leaved varieties, make a spectacular companion for Japanese Painted fern. The bright flowers and foliage of Tiarella blend beautifully with the gorgeous fronds of Japanese Painted fern.
👉 www.costafarms.com.

Are painted ferns evergreen?

Best foliage color in light shade….Athyrium niponicum 'Pictum'

Botanical Pronunciationa-THEE-ree-um nih-PON-ih-kum PIK-tum
Average Size at MaturityModerate growing; reaches 18 to 24 in. tall and wide.
Bloom TimePrized for foliage.
Deciduous/ EvergreenHerbaceous
Foliage ColorSilver-blue

👉 www.monrovia.com.

How long does it take for ferns to spread?

Creeping rhizomes grow from several inches to one foot per year and form a large colony. Clumping rhizomes are slow growing and form a tight clump. Knowing whether a fern is a creeper or a clumper is an important fact to take account when incorporating these plants into your landscape.
👉 piedmontmastergardeners.org.

Will Japanese painted fern spread?

Clumps of Pictum will spread slightly each year by means of underground rhizomes but remain clumplike and non-invasive. Japanese ferns have great texture and can be used in group plantings as garden accents or in combination pots with other shade perennials such as astilbe, heuchera or hosta.
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How tall do Japanese painted ferns grow?

18 to 24 in. tallModerate growing; reaches 18 to 24 in. tall and wide. Prized for foliage. Water regularly to maintain evenly moist soil – weekly, or more often.
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How do you take care of a painted fern?

Japanese painted fern plants thrive when light and soil conditions make them happy. Gentle morning sun and a rich, composted soil are vital to the proper care for Japanese painted ferns. Consistently moist and well-draining soil optimizes growth. Soil without good drainage can cause roots to rot or cause disease.
👉 www.gardeningknowhow.com.

Do you cut back Japanese painted fern?

Depending on the summer heat of your garden, Japanese painted fern plants can be planted in light to almost total shade. More southern areas require more shade for successfully growing this plant. Avoid planting in the hot afternoon sun that may burn the delicate fronds. Trim back browning fronds as needed.
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Are Japanese ferns invasive?

Old World climbing fern, also introduced, is a major invasive pest in southern Florida. History and use. Native to Asia and tropical Australia and introduced from Japan in 1930s. An ornamental still being spread by unsuspecting gardeners.
👉 www.invasive.org.

Are ferns good for landscaping?

Ferns make excellent landscape plants because of their attractive fronds and their ability to thrive where many plants fail. You can plant them under shady trees, use them as border plants, grow them as ground covers or line garden pathways, and fill empty landscapes with low-maintenance ferns.
👉 www.wikilawn.com.

Do outdoor ferns multiply?

Ferns can multiply naturally via two mechanisms, vegetative and sexual. Vegetative reproduction occurs by producing new plantlets along underground runners, or rhizomes. Sexual reproduction occurs via the production of spores, which lead to the production tiny plants that make both eggs and sperm.
👉 homeguides.sfgate.com.

How tall does Japanese fern grow?

12 to 18 inchesLearning how to grow a Japanese painted fern allows the plant to reach its optimum height of 12 to 18 inches (31-46 cm.) around and in height. Now that you know how to grow a Japanese painted fern and where to locate them in the landscape, try growing one or several types of Japanese painted fern in your garden.
👉 www.gardeningknowhow.com.

Should painted ferns be cut back in the fall?

Lightly cutting back ferns in autumn before winter can help clean up your outdoor ferns in preparation for weathering winter conditions, but you don't want to necessarily do a heavy pruning in fall or winter because the fronds that stay on all winter may help protect your fern in winter months.
👉 homeguides.sfgate.com.

How do you get rid of a Japanese climbing fern?

Research has shown that a 2-3% solution of the herbicide active ingredient called glyphosate (Roundup, and others, etc.) is effective for controlling Japanese climbing fern (http://plants.ifas.ufl.edu/node/639).
👉 blogs.ifas.ufl.edu.

Why is the Japanese climbing fern harmful?

Ecological Threat The Japanese climbing fern can cover shrubs, the ground and tall trees because the rhizome root system allows them to grow in dense mats. The mats can grow as thick as 10 feet, and in turn, smother native plants and trees.
👉 www.tsusinvasives.org.

Do ferns spread fast?

Most ferns spread quickly, and some grow quite large. Know their habits, sizes, and spreads before planting. The larger ones resent disturbance once they are established, and moving them may sacrifice their vigor for years.
👉 www.finegardening.com.


⏯ – Japanese Painted Fern


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