Ghost Painted Fern

The Japanese Painted Fern is well-known to many gardeners, and widely considered to be among the most colorful and beautiful of all ferns, greatly admired for its amazing silver leaves. It tends to be low growing, with a maximum height of 18 inches, and generally lower, so how to have a taller fern and keep those silvery leaves? The answer turned out to be a hybrid plant, crossing the Painted Fern with a larger relative, the Lady Fern. The result is a gorgeous upright fern, reaching 30 inches tall, with unique silver-green fronds sporting deep-red stems. It will really brighten up a collection of green ferns, and has more ‘garden toughs’ than the more delicate Painted Fern. It spreads slowly into a good-sized clump. It’s great in a shade-garden, rock garden, or on shady slopes that aren’t too dry. Grow it in more formal settings, or plant it in natural woodlands or by a stream. With two beautiful parents, it’s a special child that really shines on its own merits

• Tall, silver fronds with deep-red stems
• Upright form the 30 inches tall
• Best planted in light partial shade, with only a touch of morning sun
• Terrific choice for a spot where the Japanese Painted Fern is too small
• Makes a handsome pot-plant for a cold porch or shady terrace

For the most silver coloring, plant the Ghost Painted Fern with a touch of morning sun, or in light full shade. Too much sun may bleach the leaves. Grows well in moist, well-drained soil. Both acidic and clay soils are tolerated well. Although it cannot be left to dry completely, it will grow in soil with more limited moisture than many other ferns will. Plants that burn later in the season normally come back unharmed the following spring, so don’t be too concerned if it dries out. It isn’t eaten by deer or rabbits, and has no pests. Cut down dead fronds in the fall or winter, and don’t wait until the new fronds appear in spring, as it will be hard to avoid damaging them.