Position

Sun exposure:
Full shade, partial shade
Aspect:
East facing, north facing
Position in border:
Front, middle

Soil

Acidic / Chalky / Alkaline / Clay / Heavy / Moist / Well Drained / Light / Sandy

The lady fern, Athyrium filix-femina, has delicate, bright green, filigree leaves. It looks fantastic planted in bold swathes with other shade-loving plants in a sheltered, shady woodland edge, shrub or mixed border. Deciduous, it starts to look tatty in autumn, so grow it among evergreen ferns or late-flowering perennials. Cut back foliage in late autumn.

Grow Athyrium filix-femina in a woodland setting in part-shade, ideally in a sheltered spot as the fronds can break easily. Trim to the ground in late autumn or early spring. Propagate by sowing spores in late-summer, or by division in spring.

Plant calendar

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Sowyes
Plantyesyesyesyesyes
Divideyesyesyes

Athyrium and wildlife

Athyrium has no particular known value to wildlife in the UK.

Is Athyrium poisonous?

Athyrium has no toxic effects reported.

No reported toxicity to:
Is not known to attract Birds
Birds
Is not known to attract Cats
Cats
Is not known to attract Dogs
Dogs
Is not known to attract Horses
Horses
Is not known to attract Livestock
Livestock
Is not known to attract People
People
Plants that go well with Athyrium filix-femina
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