Athyrium angustum
northern lady fern
Overview
Athyrium angustum is a deciduous, clump-forming fern growing 1-3 feet (30-90 cm) tall and 1.5-2.5 feet (45-75 cm) wide, with arching, lance-shaped fronds rising in a loose vase from a short rhizome. The fronds are 12-36 inches (30-90 cm) long, twice-divided into many narrow, deeply cut leaflets, giving a lacy, finely textured outline. Frond color is light to medium green, and the stalks are often flushed red or wine-purple. Curved spore cases line the undersides of fertile fronds in summer, opening to release spores into autumn. New croziers unfurl in spring, and the foliage yellows and collapses at the first hard frost. Plants enlarge slowly into broad clumps but do not run. The thin fronds tear and brown in wind or drought.
Native Range
Native to eastern and central North America, from Newfoundland and the Great Lakes south through the Appalachians. It grows in moist woodland, swamp margins, ditches, and shaded clearings on rich, damp soils.Suggested Uses
Grown in shade borders, woodland gardens, and along streams and pond edges, spaced 18-24 inches (45-60 cm) apart. The lacy foliage fills damp, shaded spots where many plants fail. It combines with hostas, wildflowers, and other moisture-loving shade plants.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height1' - 3'
Width/Spread1'6" - 2'6"
Bloom Information
Reproduces by spores rather than flowers. Curved spore cases ripen on the undersides of fertile fronds in summer and release spores from late summer into autumn. New fronds unfurl in spring and continue appearing through early summer.
Detailed Descriptions
Foliage Description
light to medium greenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Tolerates up to 4 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Grows in part to full shade on consistently moist, rich soils and tolerates wet ground at the edges of ponds and ditches. It needs steady moisture; fronds scorch and brown in dry soil or direct sun. The clump enlarges each year but stays in place. It tolerates winter cold across its range and dies back fully in autumn. Few pests affect it, though slugs may chew the young croziers. Dividing crowded clumps in spring keeps them vigorous.Pruning
Cut the collapsed fronds to the ground in late autumn or early spring before the new croziers unfurl. No other pruning is needed. Tattered fronds can be trimmed through the season without harming the crown.Pruning Schedule
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
fallearly spring
Container Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 2 gallons