Painted Fern

Growth habit

Fern

Perennation

Long-lived polycarpic perennial

Location

Floriculture War Memorial Trail, Cornell Class of 1938 Native Maple Slope, Groundcover Collection

Source of plant

Arrowhead Alpines, Fairweather Gardens, Sunny Border Ohio, Bluebird Nursery Inc., Walters Gardens

Description

‘Ghost’ is a deciduous hybrid fern (A. niponicum var. pictum x A. filix-femina) that is noted for its upright silvery foliage. Silvery foliage is acquired from its Japanese painted fern parent and upright habit from its lady fern parent. It typically grows to 30” tall. It features a slowly spreading clump of fronds that are a soft grayish-green with an overlay of silvery hues accented by contrasting dark maroon midribs. Silvering is best in the spring, with fronds becoming more grayish-green as hot temperatures arrive.

USDA Hardiness Zone

5

Special characteristics

leaf color