Crested Lady Fern
Athyrium filix femina 'Cristatum'
Pronunciation: a-THEE-ree-um FY-liks kris-TAY-tum
SKU #03610
| Description | Delicate, finely divided fronds create a woodland effect under the canopy of tall trees. Leaflets have an ornamental crested growth at the tips. Develops a lovely crown of lacy fronds atop a short trunk. Evergreen in mild climates. |
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| Light | Full shade |
| Watering | Keep soil evenly moist. |
| Blooms | Prized for foliage. |
| Mature Size | Fast growing; reaches 3 to 4 ft. tall and wide. |
| Deciduous/Evergreen | Evergreen |
|---|---|
| Special Features | Easy Care, Waterwise |
| Problems/Solutions | Deer Resistant, Erosion Control, Rabbit Resistant, Very Wet Areas |
| Growth Rate | Fast |
| Growth Habit | Upright |
| Landscape Use | Border, Container |
|---|---|
| Design Ideas | A magnificent fern that fills out a shade garden far better than smaller types. Mass Lady Fern under trees where it's too dark for other plants. Use in pots or in atriums where their primitive, lacy character softens other more sculptural specimens. Also ideal for disguising mechanical parts of fountains or where over spray keeps planting areas too wet. A natural in banks and slopes with seeps or springs and rocky outcroppings shaded by forest. |
| Foliage Color | Green |
| Companion Plants | A sizable ground fern in scale with larger shade loving plants. Group with unique Trilby Rhododendron, (Rhododendron x 'Trilby'), shade tolerant Madonna (Brooks Hybrid) Azalea, (Azalea 'Madonna') and Miniature Gardenia (Gardenia jasminoides 'Radicans'). Also works well with such shade-loving perennials as Lenten Rose (Helleborus x hybridus 'Royal HeritageTM Strain'), Lilac Beauty Lilyturf (Liriope muscari 'Lilac Beauty') and Bolivian Sunset Gloxinia (Gloxinia sylvatica 'Bolivian Sunset'). |
| Care | Provide organically rich, well-drained soil. Water regularly to maintain evenly moist soil; tolerates drier soils once established, but best with consistent moisture. Feed frequently during growing season with a general purpose fertilizer. Cut back old fronds after new growth begins in spring. Divide clumps every 2 to 3 years. |
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| Lore | Woodland ferns have long been used as basket liners by berry and mushroom gatherers. The plant's microscopic spores led the ancients to believe they could render one invisible. |
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This Plant's Growing Zones: 4-9
Your USDA Cold Hardiness Zone:
Your climate may be too cold for this plant
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About Us
We have been pioneers and craftsmen in the art of growing plants for nearly
100 years. Since our founding in Southern California by Harry E. Rosedale, Sr.
in 1926, we have been absolutely dedicated and obsessed with quality.
We have been pioneers and craftsmen in the art of growing plants for nearly 100 years. Since our founding in Southern California by Harry E. Rosedale, Sr. in 1926, we have been absolutely dedicated and obsessed with quality.