Japanese painted fern 'Burgundy Lace'

Sun

Partial to full shade; gentle morning sun is suitable where the soil stays moist. Avoid hot afternoon sun.

Water

Keep evenly moist but not waterlogged. Water during dry spells, especially while establishing and in containers.

Soil

Humus-rich, well-drained soil that retains moisture; slightly acidic to neutral conditions are ideal.

Height

1-1.5 ft (0.3-0.45 m)

Spread

1.5-2 ft (0.45-0.6 m)

Foliage

Lacy, triangular fronds emerge rich burgundy-purple, becoming more silvery with green tones and persistent burgundy veins and stems. Colour varies with light, temperature and frond age; foliage dies back for winter.

Growth

Slow to moderate

Care needed

Low

• Deer resistant
• Cold hardy
• Wildlife
• Low allergen

Northern hemisphere months. In Australia, shift them by six.

Difficulty

Easy

Toughness

Fairly tough

Pick your zone, country, light and whether you have pets.

1. Planting day

   1 ft (0.3 m)

2. After 1 year

   1 ft (0.32 m)

3. After 2 years

   1.1 ft (0.34 m)

4. After 3 years

   1.2 ft (0.36 m)

5. After 5 years

   1.2 ft (0.38 m)

   full size

About 4 years to full size.

From a typical nursery size, at an average rate for this kind of plant. A rule of thumb, not a forecast.

Cats and dogs

Safe

Growth rate

Slow

• Work leaf mould or compost into the planting area and set the crown at soil level.
• Water deeply when the surface soil begins to dry; do not let the root ball dry out completely.
• Apply a 2 in (5 cm) mulch of leaf mould or compost, keeping it clear of the crown.
• Feed lightly in spring only if growth is weak; rich soil usually needs no additional fertiliser.
• Divide established clumps in early spring when crowded or when you want more plants.

Pruning. Cut dead fronds back close to the crown in late winter or early spring, before new fiddleheads unfurl. Remove damaged fronds at their bases during the growing season.

Late winter

Remove dead fronds before new growth starts, taking care not to damage emerging buds.

Early spring

Plant or divide clumps as growth begins, then water thoroughly.

Spring

Refresh the leaf mould or compost mulch without covering the crown.

Late spring

Check tender new fronds for slug and snail damage.

Summer

Water during dry spells and check that nearby tree roots are not leaving the soil dry.

Autumn

Let fading fronds die back naturally and keep the crown free of thick, matted leaves.

• Plant in small groups at the front of a shaded border, where the silver and burgundy foliage is easy to see.
• Combine with broad-leaved hostas for a contrast in leaf shape and texture.
• Pair with dark-leaved coral bells and green sedges to repeat its burgundy tones and highlight its silver markings.
• Use beside a shaded path or in a sheltered courtyard container with reliable watering.

Garden styles it suits: Woodland, Japanese, Cottage garden, Blues and silvers, Modern courtyard and Small-space.

Plant it with: Hostas, Coral bells, Siberian bugloss, Japanese forest grass, Epimediums and Astilbes.

Wildlife: The clump provides sheltered habitat for small invertebrates. It has no flowers, nectar or pollen, so it is not a direct food source for pollinating insects.

• Slugs and snails can chew emerging fronds; inspect at dusk, remove them by hand and use iron-based slug bait according to its label if needed.
• Brown, crisp frond edges usually indicate dry soil, hot sun or drying wind; water thoroughly, mulch and provide more shade or shelter.
• Crown or root rot can develop in waterlogged soil; improve drainage and avoid burying the crown.
• Late frosts may blacken newly unfurled fronds; cover emerging growth when frost is forecast and remove damaged fronds once the risk has passed.

Not known to be toxic to cats, dogs, horses or people. No part is recognised as a serious poisoning hazard, but it is not an edible fern and should not be used as food.

• Japanese painted fern (Athyrium niponicum var. pictum)

  Typical plants have silver-grey and green fronds with reddish-purple midribs, rather than the extensive burgundy-purple flush of young 'Burgundy Lace' fronds.

• Lady fern (Athyrium filix-femina)

  Usually taller, with predominantly green fronds and no characteristic silver-and-burgundy colouring.

• Ghost fern (Athyrium 'Ghost')

  Forms a taller, more upright clump with pale silvery-green fronds and much less burgundy across the leaf blades.

The species name niponicum means Japanese, while 'Burgundy Lace' describes the wine-coloured young fronds and their finely divided texture.

Propagation. Divide healthy, established clumps in early spring, keeping roots and at least one growing point on each division. Division preserves the cultivar; plants raised from spores will not reliably retain its colouring.

Accepted botanical name

Anisocampium niponicum Athyrium niponicum 'Burgundy Lace' is an older name for Anisocampium niponicum.

Sources: GBIF (CC BY 4.0). The care and design notes are LandscapeGPT's own.