Lady Fern
Athyrium filix-femina
Lady Fern is a perennial for focal point, mid-border, suited to full sun to partial shade and clay, loam, acid soil or moist ground, flowering varies by climate.
| Type | Perennial |
|---|---|
| Mature height | 90 cm |
| Spread | 60 cm |
| Aspect | full sun to partial shade |
| Foliage | Deciduous |
| Hardiness | USDA 4a-8b, RHS H6 |
| Pollinator-friendly | No |
| Pet-safe | Yes |
Where to use it in a border
At around 90 cm, it sits best toward the back of a border, or on its own as a focal point with room around it. Give it about 60 cm of room to spread. It is hardy across USDA zones 4a to 8b and rated H6 by the RHS, so check it suits your area before planting.
It appears in our lists of shade, clay soil, acid soil, wet soil, pet-safe plants.
Border Builder uses Lady Fern's height, spread, soil, bloom months and companions to place it in a full border plan for your own conditions, on iPhone and iPad.
Flowering through the year
Worth knowing
- It copes with ground that stays wet, which most border plants will not.
- It tolerates acid soil but dislikes shallow chalk.
- It tolerates a shaded, north-facing spot.
Good companions
Plants that share its conditions and style, chosen to complement its place in the border:
- Allegheny Spurgeto edge in front
- Alumroot 'Palace Purple'to edge in front
- Appalachian Sedgeto edge in front
- Bloodrootto edge in front
- Bugleto edge in front
- Cherokee Sedgeto edge in front