Athyrium Ursulas Red

Description

Athyrium ‘Ursulas Red’ – Japanese painted fern

Botanical name: Athyrium niponicum ‘Ursula’s Red’
Common names: Japanese painted fern
Family: Athyriaceae
Plant type: Deciduous fern
Habit: Clump-forming
Pot size: 3 litre pot
Eventual size: Approx. 30–45cm tall × 30–45cm spread
Foliage: Finely divided fronds combining silver, green and deep red-purple along red midribs; deciduous
Flowers: None — ferns reproduce by spores, not flowers
Scent: Not scented
Aspect / light: Partial to full shade
Soil: Moist but well-drained, humus-rich; neutral to acid
Hardiness: RHS H7 (very hardy, below −20°C); USDA zones 4–8
Exposure: Sheltered
Native range: Species native to eastern Asia
Toxicity / pet & child safety: Generally considered non-toxic to people and pets

Athyrium ‘Ursulas Red’ is a Japanese painted fern with delicate fronds blending silver, green and deep red-purple along red midribs. Deciduous and refined, it is lovely in moist shade and woodland plantings.

GardenAdvice notes

A graceful deciduous fern for shade, this athyrium is grown for its beautifully coloured, finely divided fronds, which bring delicate texture and colour to a moist, shady border or woodland planting. Its fronds blend silver, green and deep red-purple, with red midribs running through. It thrives in the cool, humus-rich, moist conditions of a shaded spot.

Growing & planting

Plant in spring or autumn in moist but well-drained, humus-rich soil in partial to full shade, with shelter from cold, drying winds. It is ideal for shady and woodland borders, north-facing beds and cool corners. Work in leaf mould or compost, and space about 40cm apart.

Care & maintenance

Low-maintenance. Keep the soil reliably moist, especially while establishing, and mulch with leaf mould in autumn. Cut back the old fronds in late autumn or early spring, as they die down for winter. No feeding is usually needed beyond an annual mulch.

Propagation

• Division: Lift and divide congested clumps in spring.
• Spores: Can be raised from spores, though division is far quicker and easier.

Pests & diseases

Generally trouble-free. Slugs and snails can graze the soft young fronds as they unfurl in spring, and the fronds scorch in dry or exposed positions. Moist soil and shelter keep it looking its best.

Uses in the garden

Ideal for shady and woodland borders, north-facing beds, and among hostas, hellebores and other shade plants, where the coloured fronds add fine texture and contrast.

Wildlife value

The fronds provide cover and shelter for small invertebrates through the growing season.

Toxicity & safety

Ferns are generally regarded as non-toxic to people and pets.

GardenAdvice tip

‘Ursula’s Red’ has some of the richest red-purple colouring of the painted ferns, concentrated along the midribs and deepening on the young fronds — give it a moist, lightly shaded spot to bring those colours out. Like all painted ferns it hates drying out, so keep it mulched and watered, and it will slowly build into a beautiful colourful clump.

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