ATHYRIUM NIPONICUM 'RED BEAUTY - JAPANESE PAINTED FERN

I love ferns, almost as much as I love trees; there's something so primitive and ancient about them.  I have two in pots in my garden and the other day I bought two more to add to my little collection.  This one is Athyrium niponicum (Japanese Painted Fern), 'Red Beauty'.   When I initially saw it at the garden centre I thought some of the leaves were dying as the plant has a mixture of silver fronds (leaves) and green and I had never seen such a thing before.   I assume the green fronds are new leaves.  It really is very beautiful, as you can see from the photographs below.

Athyrium niponicum (Japanese Painted Fern), 'Red Beauty'

I've planted mine into a large pot in a relatively sheltered place (my garden can be a very windy place at times) where it will get early morning sun and then light shade.  I'm so pleased to have discovered this lovely plant.  Just look at the detail on the silver leaves with the Burgundy red going through them.

Athyrium niponicum (Japanese Painted Fern), 'Red Beauty'

Athyrium niponicum (Japanese Painted Fern), 'Red Beauty'

The label says this:



Athyrium niponicum (Japanese Painted Fern), 'Red Beauty' is a delightful fern with grey/green leaves and wine red midribs.  It is perfect for brightening up moist, shady corners, or well-watered patio tubs in shade.  It prefers dappled shade with shelter from strong winds and likes moist, fertile, preferably acid soil.  It is deciduous but the fronds last well into autumn.  It is hardy and perennial, achieving a height of 45cm (18in) and a spread of 50cm (20in).  Water regularly in dry spells and cut dead fronds down to ground level in late winter.



Fingers crossed that my fern will be happy where it is but the good thing about planting in tubs is that the tub can always be moved.  Right?   I have to admit that I don't cut down the dead fronds on my other ferns (also grown in pots) but leave them as a layer of protection from seriously harsh winters.   Your choice.