Regal Red Japanese Painted Fern (Athyrium niponicum 'Regal Red')
ah-THEER-ee-um nih-PON-ih-kum 'Regal Red'

Deciduous Perennial Arching, Clump-Forming in the Athyriaceae Family
 
Buy Regal Red Japanese Painted Fern
Size Notes Price Availability
Tray of 6 #1 gallons Field

Grower approved but probably not garden center ready. (9/13)

$93.00 Likely available
1/24 - 4/4

Athyrium niponicum 'Regal Red' is a cultivated selection of Japanese painted fern grown chiefly for its richly colored fronds: a dark violet-red interior bordered by bright silvery edges, giving each frond a tapestry-like, two-tone effect. Slightly twisted pinnules add a fluffed, textured look. Like other Japanese painted ferns, it is a low, clump-forming, deciduous fern that spreads slowly by rhizome and holds its color especially well into fall.

Pros

  • Dramatic violet-red and silver frond coloring, among the boldest of the painted ferns
  • Holds color well into fall
  • Deer and rabbit resistant
  • Low maintenance once established

Cons

  • Fronds die back completely at first hard frost
  • Needs consistently moist soil; struggles in dry shade
  • Too much direct sun can bleach color and cause fronds to curl upright
Highlights

The standout feature is the frond coloring itself: deep violet-red centers rimmed in bright silver, arranged in an arching, clump-forming rosette. A striking accent for a shaded border or woodland planting.

 

Plant Data

Mature Size 12 - 24 inches tall. 18 - 24 inches wide.
Growth Rate Medium
Sun Exposure Full Shade - Partial Shade
Zones 4a - 9b (Usually hardy to -30° F)
Tags Colorful Foliage, Deciduous, Deer Resistant, Filler, Full Shade, Good for Accents, Good for Borders, Good for Mass Planting, Grown For Attractive Foliage, Low Maintenance, Most Popular, Naturalizing, Normal Soil, Partial Shade, Perennial, Rabbit Resistant, Shade Tolerant, Tolerant of Clay Soil, Tolerant of Moist Soil, Well-Drained Soil, Woodland Garden
Bloom Period Non-flowering
Flower Color Non-Flowering
Foliage Color Silver-Gray, Green, Maroon
 

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Pricing and Availability History

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Past Availability
2024 : 07/02 - 09/08
2023 : 09/07 - 09/10

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Field-Grown vs. Greenhouse-Grown Plants

Plants which are well-adapted to our local climate are most often field-grown (outside). Field-grown plants are generally cheaper and have the advantage of already somewhat acclimated to our cold winters, but that means they’re not artificially far along in the spring and tend to bloom at the normal time in our area.

Spring annuals and tender perennials are typically grown in Greenhouses so they can be ready and luxurious exactly when customers want them. Some perennials are also “forced” into early bloom in greenhouses. In May, there can be a very big difference between field-grown and greenhouse-grown plants of the same type. The latter typically look good right away (so they’re a great choice where that’s important), but we typically pay a premium for it.


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No Pricing or Availability Right Now

We order from a rotating cast of the best nurseries in the Great Lakes region. It looks like we've offered this plant in the past, but the nurseries we're working with this week don't appear to have it in stock at the moment.

Our goal is to bring as many plants together under "one roof" as possible, so we'll try hard to make it available again in the future!