skip to main content

Moss, Ferns & Cryptogams

Japanese painted ferns

16 years ago

Hello,

I have a spot along my foundation that I would like to put some shade plants, perennials, hopefully something that may spread enough I wouldnt' have to weed much once established. I LOVE the Japanese Painted Ferns, I see there are different types. This area would receive some morning sun, but from about 11am on would be in the shade. I am also not worried about anything taking over in that area, as it is along a sidewalk. Should these be planted in the spring? I have heard that fall planting is quite common, but not sure about these. Also, do they look brilliant with their colors all season? And...could other perennials be planted with them, say lilies of the valley? Can they be intermixed? I am also looking at "Lady in Red Fern", I am aware it could take 3 seasons to acquire the stem color, that's ok. I just need something in that spot! I have been planting impatiens there the past three years, but I really would like to plant something and not have to replant every year! I was even thinking of creeping wintergreen....but I do like these ferns. I need something there! Thanks for any input!

Angie

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (7)

greenlarry
16 years ago
I think zone 5 would be too hard for those ferns. I had one out the front and it never made the winter.
jugglerguy
16 years ago
I live in zone 5a and I have about 30 Japanese painted ferns. I got most of mine from Bluestone Perennials as tiny little things. I've never had one die. They grow slowly. My biggest one is now about 18 inches across, but it took about 5 years to get that big. They won't spread to fill in an area as a ground cover, but you could plant a bunch of them. They're really slow to pop up each spring, so you have to be careful to remember where you put them. I've planted them in both spring and fall.

I also have one 'Lady in Red' fern. I like it a lot, but I like the Japanese painted ferns better. The Lady in Red is more likely to break stems.
Related Discussions
WANTED: Japanese painted fern
Q
Comments (1)
in the process of trade
...See More
Japanese Painted Fern - slow to emerge??
Q
Comments (14)
I'm in 6a an hour North of Lake Erie and my Japanese Painted Ferns didn't pop up until the end of May. They are growing like mad now but they were the last of my ferns to come up. I will expect the same next year and not worry about them. My Christmas, Man, Hart's Tongue and Holly fern all stayed green through the winter under 3 and 4 feet of snow. I believe all are considered "hardy" as far as ferns go and tend to stay green throughout the winter even in my northern (for North America) climate. Barb
...See More
Dividing Japanese painted ferns?
Q
Comments (5)
Late spring is usually the best time to divide JPF, but can be divided in the fall also. A 3G plant from a nursery most likely contains several individual plants, as they are usually grown from tissue culture plugs. In any case, they are easily divided, usimg a sharp knife to sever the connecting rhizomes. Be sure that each division has some roots and a crown or growth point, with some foliage. They prefer a moist, but well drained location and slightly acidic soil. Prepare the planting holes by mixing organic compost or peat moss with the soil. They prefer shade or a partially shaded location. In your Zone, they will tolerate more sunlight, than in the southern US. Best color is developed with a few hours of sun each day. Wait until the soil temperature cools down, usually after frost, to mulch. Mulching now will keep soil warm and promote growth, when they should be preparing to go dormant. You can fertilize in the spring, using a 2-3" layer of compost or a timed release chemical fertilizer at Â½ the recommeded rate for perennials. They thrive when supplied with adequate moisture and high humidity. After the first year of growth, you can again divide them in the spring, which is the easiest way to generate more plants! After a few years, you will begin to see sporelings appear all around the area. They may or maynot be an exact replica of the parent plant. In any case, they will be an attractive addition. Good luck and enjoy :-) Rb Here is a link that might be useful: Japanese Painted Fern
...See More
Wanted: Japanese Painted Fern
Q
Comments (0)
Have: lily of the valley, pachysandra, vinca, astilbe, blue/purple siberian iris, oak leaf hydrangea (cutting), climbing hydrangea
...See More
greenlarry
16 years ago
Hmmm must have been the clay soil that did mine in. Out the back,where my new fern bed is,the soil is better,maybe i should try another in the spring?
ncdaydreams
16 years ago
granted the nursery i work at is zone 6, but we have had the best luck with growing painted ferns when they receive that morning sun. sounds like you have the perfect place for them. we started our crop in mottled shade and it didn't grow any substantial amount for months. when we moved the crop to recieve direct sun until about noon, they perked right up and started filling out beautifully in just a few weeks. and personally, i am a fan of the fall planting. usually requires much less watering. it's just crucial that you plant early enough for the plant to establish strong roots in it's new soil before it goes to sleep for the winter.
hostaholic2 z 4, MN
16 years ago
I have several Japanese painted ferns here in zone 4. I started with small divisions and it did take several years to get a nice size clump, but it was worth the wait. I don't do anything special in the way of winter protection. I just leave whatever leaves blow into the bed. I also have a heavy clay loam. I worked in plenty of peat moss and compost before planting and top dress with compost every year.
wendylee226
15 years ago
I would like to buy two planters that are 18 by 18 by 18 inches in zone 3 or 4 (Ottawa, ontario) to put on my patio. It is 20 feet wide and has two 7 foot pergola fences on either side so it has alot of shade. I was hoping to put cedar around the containers 3/4's of the way up with a ledge around for looks. Could these ferns survive the winter in this planter above ground? Does anyone know? They would be too heavy to lift. I have two astilbes in a small planter and they survive the winter. Also, would they spread out of the container onto the patio and be a nuisance in this regard. If the painted ferns would die from being above ground, is the any slow growing fern that might live and stay contained? Does anyone know? Wendy
greenlarry
15 years ago
I had one out front and it didn't survive a zone 9 winter! But then the soil is very heavy out there and there's no or little shade out the back for one.

Related Stories

GARDENING GUIDES Great Design Plant: Japanese Painted Fern Weaves a Garden Tapestry

By Jay Sifford Garden Design

Bring striking colors and texture to your woodland garden with Athyrium niponicum var. pictum

PLANTING IDEAS Ferns: A Shade Gardener’s Best Friend

By Jay Sifford Garden Design

Bring rich texture and contrast to a dark woodland landscape with wonderfully diverse ferns

GARDENING GUIDES 6 Fantastic Ferns to Enliven Shady Garden Spots

By Matt Kilburn

For long-term interest with little upkeep in challenging conditions, ferns might just be your garden's new best friend

GARDENING GUIDES 7 Fabulous Shade-Loving Ferns for Containers

By Olander Garden Design

Shade-loving ferns can add color and texture to your container designs

GROUND COVERS Native Alternatives to English Ivy, Japanese Pachysandra and Periwinkle

By Curtis Adams

These shade-loving ground covers are good for the environment and say something about where you are

TREES 11 Japanese Maples for Breathtaking Color and Form

By Jay Sifford Garden Design

With such a wide range to choose from, there’s a beautiful Japanese maple to suit almost any setting

GARDENING GUIDES Great Design Plant: Ostrich Fern (Matteuccia struthiopteris)

By Jay Sifford Garden Design

Try this giant among ferns for a showstopping sight in a shady or even somewhat sunny woodland garden

GARDENING GUIDES Great Design Plant: Autumn Fern Adds Color All Year

Use this evergreen, easy-care fern for soft texture and coppery tints in container gardens and the landscape at large

FERNS The Indoor Gardener: Reconsider Fabulous Ferns

By Living Small: City & Small Space Consulting

Delicate to exuberant, ferns come in all manner of styles and add bursts of freshness to your interior decorating

GARDENING GUIDES Great Design Plant: Phegopteris Decursive-Pinnata

By Jay Sifford Garden Design

Consider Japanese beech fern for a spreading but noninvasive ground cover for shade

Sponsored

Fresh Pointe Studio

4 Reviews

Industry Leading Interior Designers & Decorators | Delaware County, OH