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Crested Lady Fern

Athyrium filix femina 'Cristatum'

Pronunciation: a-THEE-ree-um FY-liks kris-TAY-tum
SKU #03610
4-9

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LIGHT: Full shade
WATER: Keep soil evenly moist.
SIZE: Fast growing; reaches 3 to 4 ft. tall and wide.
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We no longer grow this plant

This page is for reference only. If you are looking for a plant to purchase, please use our My Plantfinder to discover the perfect plant for your garden.

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.
Bloom Time Prized for foliage.
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 Instructions 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.
History A widespread species native to the forests of Europe and Asia. It is also native to nearly every state adapting to subspecies to cope with regional climate variations.
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.
Details
DescriptionDelicate, 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.
Bloom TimePrized for foliage.
Deciduous/EvergreenEvergreen
Special FeaturesEasy Care, Waterwise
Problems/SolutionsDeer Resistant, Erosion Control, Rabbit Resistant, Very Wet Areas
Growth RateFast
Growth HabitUpright
Style
Landscape UseBorder, Container
Design IdeasA 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 ColorGreen
Companion PlantsA 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
Care InstructionsProvide 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.
History
HistoryA widespread species native to the forests of Europe and Asia. It is also native to nearly every state adapting to subspecies to cope with regional climate variations.
LoreWoodland 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.

We no longer grow this plant

This page is for reference only. If you are looking for a plant to purchase, please use our My Plantfinder to discover the perfect plant for your garden.

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.