Common Name: hybrid painted fern
Type: Fern
Family: Athyriaceae
Zone: 4 to 8
Height: 2.00 to 3.00 feet
Spread: 2.00 to 3.00 feet
Bloom Time: Non-flowering
Bloom Description: Silver green fronds with red midribs
Sun: Part shade to full shade
Water: Medium
Maintenance: Low
Tolerate: Rabbit, Heavy Shade
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. Too much sun often results in a bleaching of the attractive frond colors. Tolerates more soil dryness than some other ferns in this genus, but soils must not be allowed to dry out.
Noteworthy Characteristics
Athyrium is a genus of ferns of about 180 species. They are found mostly in moist forest and woodland settings in both temperate and tropical areas.
Genus name comes from Greek athyros meaning "doorless" in reference to the slowly opening hinged indusia (spore covers).
‘Ocean’s Fury’ is a Japanese painted fern hybrid which typically matures into a 3’ by 3’ clump of lacy upward arching triangular silver green fronds with red midribs (rachis) and leaflets crested at the tips. This hybrid is the result of a cross between Athyrium niponicum var. pictum and Athyrium filix-femina ‘Congestum Cristatum’ by Therman Maness with subsequent introduction into commerce by Terra Nova Nurseries of Oregon. Cultivar name is in reference to the purported resemblance of the silver green plant mass to ocean waves crashing against a shore line. U.S. Plant Patent PP20,126 was issued June 23, 2009.
Problems
No serious insect or disease problems. Fronds frequently become somewhat tattered in appearance by mid summer.
Uses
Woodland gardens, shade gardens or shaded border fronts.