When I bought this group (have about 5 bought 3 years ago, and 3 little tiny ones bought just last year), I saw 2 different tags. The "crested" ones were supposed to be taller, so those are the ones that I put at the back. 3 years later I can't tell a difference, except that the "crested" ones have little projections, like horns, at the tips of the fronds. The fronds taper to a tip, then there are 4 or so of these feathery projections. Pretty and a little exotic looking. When I realized how short these were going to be, I put the new ones bought last year way up front. But they do get some morning sun there on one side. One edge of this bed gets a few hours in the morning, then shade afterward. They look even smaller now than when I bought them, mid-summer last year. Seem healthy though. But it is early yet; they were so slow to emerge I thought I'd lost them. How will I know if it is too sunny for them? Will they get crispy-edged? I love plants that tell you they are unhappy before they die! The older crested ones are going to an all-shady spot. And another question: the spot next to the house stays a little moister, as it never gets full sun and is sheltered from wind. Will the new astilbe like it there? Besides the too-short ferns that I am moving there is (staying there) a cimicifuga and a bleeding heart, both doing very well.

No, I wouldn't dig them up. They are probably just not yet well established, and if you dig them up you're going to set them back. I've noticed in my own yard that Japanese ferns that are well-watered are much lusher than when they are not. I have a few in a spot that one would think is moist enough, but the hydrangea and other plants in the area suck up a lot of moisture, too. I normally supplementally water these ferns by hand occasionally, and the couple minutes of extra work every couple weeks really pays off with these ferns. I advise watering regularly - and by that I mean by hand (via the hose or a watering can), making sure the water gets to the root area. With new plantings, I always hand water - IMO it really helps because the *roots* are getting the water, not the surrounding soil/plants and plant foliage.

Ferns are really late peeking through, about the last thing to emerge. Mine started coming up a week ago, but the other didnt, I think it died. Give it another week, we're supposed to have lots of rainfall coming it might jumpstart the ferns. Good luck! Jen

So I guess I'm not alone in being guilty of judging a plant by the picture. The taxonomic (botanical classification) scoop on Japanese Painted Ferns (Athyrium nipponicum) is that they have a "creeping rhizome" with a short stipe (the bare part of the stem between the ground and the lowest leaves on the frond). That means they are, comparatively, ground huggers. They are a lovely fern, but the pictures we all see make them look gracefully arching and tall. Instead of Cary Grant, they are more like Tom Cruise. Both pleasing to the eye, but in a different way. I would plant them all in front, and maybe back them up with some Royal Standard hostas. This will really show off the colour and texture of your Japanese ferns. The hosta bears its leaves high up, so you will maintain good air circulation at ground level. I've plunked an ancient, irrepairable, Singer sewing machine in among my Painted ferns. The splash of black against the foliage of the ferns makes them look all the more striking. Short, but striking.