Athyrium asplenioides
southern lady fern
Overview
Athyrium asplenioides is a deciduous fern of eastern North America, forming an upright, somewhat arching clump of lacy fronds 1.5-3 ft (45-90 cm) tall. The fronds are twice to three times divided, broadest near the middle and tapering at both ends, light green and thin in texture, rising from a short creeping rootstock. The stalks are often flushed red to maroon at the base, a useful field mark. Spores form in small curved sori along the undersides of the leaflets in summer. It spreads slowly into loose colonies rather than tight crowns. It grows in moist woodlands, stream banks, seeps, and shaded ravines in part to full shade. The fronds are brittle and tear in wind, and they die back at the first hard frost, leaving no winter presence. It tolerates a wide range of moist soils and adapts to many shaded garden settings. New fronds unfurl through spring and summer if moisture stays steady.
Native Range
Native to eastern North America, from the mid-Atlantic and Ohio Valley south to Florida and Texas, with the closely related northern lady fern replacing it farther north. It grows in moist deciduous woods, along streams and seeps, in ravines, and in shaded wet meadows.Suggested Uses
Grown in shade and woodland gardens, along shaded streams and ponds, and in moist borders for its lacy texture. It is planted in drifts spaced 18-24 in (45-60 cm) apart to fill shaded ground. It combines with hostas, wild ginger, and other shade plants and gives cover for woodland wildlife.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height1'6" - 3'
Width/Spread1'6" - 2'6"
Reaches mature size in approximately 3 years
Bloom Information
Ferns do not flower; this species reproduces by spores. Curved spore clusters mature on the frond undersides through summer, roughly June to September, releasing spores to the wind. New fiddleheads unfurl in spring and continue through the growing season where moisture allows.
Detailed Descriptions
Foliage Description
light 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
Athyrium asplenioides grows in part to full shade in moist, humus-rich, well-drained soils at a pH of 5.0-7.0 and prefers steady moisture. It tolerates short dry spells but the fronds scorch and die back early in drought. A mulch of leaf litter keeps the roots cool and damp. It needs no fertilizer in woodland soil. The clump spreads slowly and can be divided in spring to make more plants. The fronds die down completely at the first hard frost and return from the rootstock in spring. It has few pests, though slugs may chew young fronds.Pruning
Cut away dead fronds in late fall or late winter once they have collapsed, since the plant is fully deciduous. Tattered or wind-torn fronds can be trimmed through the season. Division in early spring controls clump size and renews vigor.Pruning Schedule
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
fallwinter
Container Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 3 gallons