Species
Athyrium niponicumJapanese painted fern18 other cultivars
‘Pictum’Pictum Japanese Painted Fern
‘Ghost’Ghost Fern
‘Wildwood Twist’Japanese Painted Fern 'Wildwood Twist'
‘Japanese Painted Fern’Japanese Painted Fern
‘Metallicum’Metallicum Japanese Painted Fern
‘Crested Surf’Crested Surf Japanese Fern
‘Regal Red’Regal Red Japanese Painted Fern
‘HH-03CH108’Crested Surf Japanese Painted Fern
‘Thrill Seeker’Japanese Painted Fern Thrill Seeker
‘Mix’Japanese Painted Fern
‘Silver Falls’Japanese Painted Fern 'Silver Falls'
‘Joy Ride’Joy Ride Japanese Painted Fern
‘Lemon Cream’Lemon Cream Japanese Painted Fern
‘Burgundy Lace’Japanese Painted Fern Burgundy Lace
‘Apple Court’Japanese Painted Fern Apple Court
‘Chungdu Queen’Chungdu Queen Japanese Painted Fern
‘Soul Mate’Japanese Painted Fern Soul Mate
‘Ping Wu’Ping Wu Japanese Painted Fern
Same species
Species
Athyrium niponicumJapanese painted fern18 other cultivars
- ‘Pictum’Pictum Japanese Painted Fern
- ‘Ghost’Ghost Fern
- ‘Wildwood Twist’Japanese Painted Fern 'Wildwood Twist'
- ‘Japanese Painted Fern’Japanese Painted Fern
- ‘Metallicum’Metallicum Japanese Painted Fern
- ‘Crested Surf’Crested Surf Japanese Fern
- ‘Regal Red’Regal Red Japanese Painted Fern
- ‘HH-03CH108’Crested Surf Japanese Painted Fern
- ‘Thrill Seeker’Japanese Painted Fern Thrill Seeker
- ‘Mix’Japanese Painted Fern
- ‘Silver Falls’Japanese Painted Fern 'Silver Falls'
- ‘Joy Ride’Joy Ride Japanese Painted Fern
- ‘Lemon Cream’Lemon Cream Japanese Painted Fern
- ‘Burgundy Lace’Japanese Painted Fern Burgundy Lace
- ‘Apple Court’Japanese Painted Fern Apple Court
- ‘Chungdu Queen’Chungdu Queen Japanese Painted Fern
- ‘Soul Mate’Japanese Painted Fern Soul Mate
- ‘Ping Wu’Ping Wu Japanese Painted Fern
Essentials
At a Glance
Plant Type
Fern
Height
12 inches
Width
18 inches
Light
Partial Sun, Shade
Zones
4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9
Water
Consistently moist
Humidity
Prefers high humidity
Lifespan
Perennial
Native To
Japan
Toxicity
Non-toxic to humans and pets
The Story
Plant Bio
Athyrium niponicum 'Ursula's Red' is a delicate, deciduous fern distinguished by its finely dissected, silvery-green fronds tinged with striking reddish-purple hues, providing a graceful ground cover in shaded gardens. This cultivar is notable for its vibrant red coloration, which intensifies during cooler weather, adding a unique splash of color to shaded woodland or border plantings.
Bloom Period:
Uses & Benefits:
Planting
How to Grow
- Tuck fern spores or divisions into prepared soil in early spring.
- Keep soil moist and rich in organic matter for optimal growth.
- Mist cuttings regularly to maintain humidity during propagation.
- Transplant young plants in spring after the last frost.
- Mulch around roots to retain moisture and suppress weeds.
- Fertilize lightly in early spring with a balanced, organic fertilizer.
Pro Tip
Provide consistent moisture and partial shade for best foliage color.
Keep It Thriving
Care Guide
Do
- Water regularly to keep soil moist, especially in dry periods.
- Prune dead or damaged fronds in early spring.
- Mulch to retain soil moisture and regulate temperature.
Don't
- Avoid overwatering, which can cause root rot.
- Do not place in full sun, which can scorch delicate fronds.
- Refrain from fertilizing in late fall to prevent new growth that could be damaged.
Seasonal Care Calendar
| Task | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Divide | ||||||||||||
| Mulch | ||||||||||||
| Spring Cleanup |
Watch Out For
Pests & Diseases
Common Pests
Common Diseases
In the Garden
Landscape Uses & Companions
Landscape Uses
Companion Plants
Multiply
Propagation Methods
Good to Know
Common Questions
Ursula's Red Japanese Painted Fern questions
What zones can Ursula's Red Japanese Painted Fern grow in?
Ursula's Red Japanese Painted Fern is hardy in USDA Zones 4–9. Inside that range it survives winter in the ground; outside it, grow it as an annual or a container plant you protect.
Is Ursula's Red Japanese Painted Fern deer resistant?
Yes — Ursula's Red Japanese Painted Fern is rated deer-resistant. Deer typically pass it over, though extreme hunger can override any plant's defenses.
When does Ursula's Red Japanese Painted Fern bloom?
Ursula's Red Japanese Painted Fern typically blooms in late spring through late spring. Exact timing shifts a week or two with your zone — Sow's bloom calendar maps it to your garden.
Does Ursula's Red Japanese Painted Fern need full sun?
Ursula's Red Japanese Painted Fern does best in part shade.
More Athyrium to compare
Lady Fern
Athyrium filix-femina
Pictum Japanese Painted Fern
Athyrium niponicum 'Pictum'
Ghost Fern
Athyrium niponicum 'Ghost'
Lady in Red Fern
Athyrium filix-femina 'Lady in Red'
Japanese Painted Fern
Athyrium niponicum 'Japanese Painted Fern'
Okanum fern
Athyrium otophorum 'Okanum'
Keep exploring
Explore the genus
Collections featuring this plant
Grow Ursula's Red Japanese Painted Fern with confidence
See it in a design of your actual yard, get zone-matched care reminders, and track it season by season in your garden journal.