Athyrium 'Ghost'
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Tried and True Recommended by 8 Professionals
Common Name: lady fern
Type: Fern
Family: Dryopteridaceae
Zone: 4 to 8
Garden Location: Enterprise Rent-A-Car Flower Borders, Jordan Charitable Foundation Ornamental Shade Garden and Overlook
Height: 2 to 2.5 feet
Spread: 1.5 to 2 feet
Bloom Time: Non-flowering
Bloom Description: 
Sun: Part shade to full shade
Water: Medium
Maintenance: Low
Leaves: Colorful
Tolerates: Dense Shade, Rabbits

Culture

Easily grown in humusy, organically rich, medium moisture, well-drained soil in part shade to full shade. Best sited in sheltered locations. Best silvery frond color occurs in light shade. Tolerates more soil dryness than some other ferns in this genus, but soils must not be allowed to dry out.

Noteworthy Characteristics

‘Ghost’ is a deciduous hybrid fern (Athyrium niponicum var. pictum and Athyrium filix-femina) that is noted for its upright silvery foliage. Silvery foliage is acquired from its Japanese painted fern parent and upright habit from its lady fern parent. It typically grows to 30” tall. It features a slowly spreading clump of fronds that are a soft grayish-green with an overlay of silvery hues accented by contrasting dark maroon midribs. Silvering is best in the spring, with fronds becoming more grayish-green as hot temperatures arrive.

Plant of Merit

Add silvery excitement to shaded areas of the landscape with this deciduous hybrid lady fern that features soft gray-green fronds with an overlay of silver hues accented by contrasting dark maroon midribs. Plants grow in spreading clumps to 30 inches tall. Best frond color usually occurs in light shade.

Problems

No serious insect or disease problems.

Garden Uses

Woodland gardens, shade gardens or shaded border fronts. Also effective in shaded areas near streams or ponds. Good background plant.

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