Athyrium 'Ghost'
ghost fern
Hybrid of garden origin ({A. niponicum} var. {pictum} crossed with {A. filix-femina})
Overview
Athyrium spp. 'Ghost' is a deciduous fern that forms an upright, vase-shaped clump 24-36 inches (60-90 cm) tall and 24-30 inches (60-75 cm) wide. It is a cross between A. niponicum var. pictum spp. and A. filix-femina, pairing the silvery frond color of the painted fern with the taller, more upright form of the lady fern. The bipinnate fronds are 18-30 inches (45-75 cm) long, with a silvery-gray cast over the pinnae and a pale gray-green to lavender-tinged rachis; the burgundy rachis of the painted fern parent is softened here to pale lavender-gray, giving a fairly even silvery tone across the frond. New fronds unfurl as pale silvery croziers in spring. The plant grows from a central crown without running rhizomes, widening the clump by 3-5 inches (8-13 cm) a year. Its upright habit lifts the fronds higher than A. niponicum var. pictum spp., which stays 12-18 inches (30-45 cm) tall. Fronds are somewhat brittle and snap in windy spots. The silver dulls in deep shade and scorches in full sun, slugs graze the emerging croziers, and reduced spore fertility means the plant is increased mainly by division. Hardy in zones 3-8.
Native Range
Athyrium spp. 'Ghost' is a hybrid of garden origin, crossing A. niponicum var. pictum spp. of eastern Asia with A. filix-femina, which grows across the temperate Northern Hemisphere. It was found as a chance seedling in a North American nursery.Suggested Uses
Grown in woodland gardens, shaded borders, and as a single specimen, spaced 24-30 inches (60-75 cm) apart, or in containers of at least 5 gallons (19 L) in a humus-rich mix. Its upright silvery fronds add a vertical line that the low-arching A. niponicum var. pictum spp. does not. It pairs with dark-leaved Heuchera spp., Ligularia spp., and green Hosta spp. in shade plantings.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height2' - 3'
Width/Spread2' - 2'6"
Reaches mature size in approximately 3 years
Bloom Information
Ferns do not flower. Spores form in elongate sori under J-shaped indusia on the pinnule undersides from midsummer into early fall, though spore fertility is reduced in this hybrid. New fronds emerge as pale silvery croziers in spring.
Detailed Descriptions
Foliage Description
Silvery-gray pinnae on a pale lavender-gray rachis; bipinnate fronds 18-30 inches (45-75 cm) longGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 2-5 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
Grow in partial shade with 2-5 hours of direct sun in humus-rich, evenly moist soil at pH 5.0-7.0. Bright filtered light or morning sun with afternoon shade holds the silver; full sun scorches the fronds and deep shade mutes the color. The soil should stay moist through the season, since drought browns the frond tips quickly. The 24-36 inch (60-90 cm) height stands up to moderate wind better than the low A. niponicum var. pictum spp., though a sheltered spot spares the brittle fronds. Slugs graze the spring croziers. Hardy in zones 3-8.Pruning
Remove browned or damaged fronds at any time in the growing season. Cut all fronds to the ground in late fall after frost or in early spring before the croziers unfurl. The clumping crown divides with a sharp spade every 4-5 years in spring.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: 5 gallons