Athyrium niponicum var. pictum 'Ursula's Red'
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JAPANESE PAINTED FERN
Family : Dryopteridaceae
Pronounced: a-THI-ree-um nip-pon-IK-cum PIK-tum
GROWING GUIDE
Geographic Origin:
Garden.
Plant Group:
Ferns.
Hardiness:
Sunset zones: 1-9, 14-24.
USDA zones: 5-8.
Heat zones: 8-1.
Mature size:
Height: 16 inches (40 cm).
Width: 12 inches (30 cm).
Leaf attributes:
Silver fronds with a flush of wine red down the center on purple-red central stipes (stems).
Light:
Partial (morning sun) to full shade .
Soil:
Moist, humus rich, fertile, well-drained soil.
Feeding:
Side dress with two to three inches of compost or leaf mold each year in spring.
Propagation Methods:
Divide in spring.
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Rainy Side Notes
The popular Japanese painted fern took ferns to a new level with their multicolored fronds. Just when you thought painted ferns couldn’t get any more colorful, along comes Athyrium 'Ursula's Red'. The only one more vibrant is A. ‘Burgundy Lace’ at least right now, or that I know of; who knows what breeders have up their sleeves. Bred by Ursula Hertz out of South Carolina and bearing her name, Ursula’s Red has a slight weeping habit.
These ferns do not like to dry out, so keep the soil evenly moist during our summer drought. Water deeply and mulch to conserve moisture. The foliage on immature plants does not always show the silver and maroon hues. After two years, the frond's coloring will stabilize.
Debra Teachout-Teashon
Top image photographed at Terra Nova Nurseries.
Bottom image photographed in author's garden.
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