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Athyrium 'Ghost' Plant of Merit



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Kemper Code:  B291

Common Name: lady fern
Zone: 4 to 8
Plant Type: Fern
Family: Dryopteridaceae
Missouri Native: No
Native Range: None
Height: 2 to 2.5 feet
Spread: 1.5 to 2 feet
Bloom Time: Non-flowering  
Bloom Color:
Sun: Part shade to full shade
Water: Medium
Maintenance: Low


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Plant Culture and Characteristics

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  Uses:       Wildlife:   Flowers:   Leaves:   Fruit:
Hedge Suitable as annual Attracts birds Has showy flowers Leaves colorful Has showy fruit
Shade tree Culinary herb Attracts Has fragrant flowers Leaves fragrant Fruit edible
Street tree Vegetable   hummingbirds Flowers not showy Good fall color   Other:
Flowering tree Water garden plant Attracts Good cut flower Evergreen Winter interest
Ground cover Will naturalize   butterflies Good dried flower     Thorns or spines

General Culture:

Easily grown in humusy, organically rich, medium moisture, well-drained soil in part shade to full shade. Best sited in sheltered locations. Best silvery frond color occurs in light shade. Tolerates more soil dryness than some other ferns in this genus, but soils must not be allowed to dry out.

Noteworthy Characteristics:

‘Ghost’ is a deciduous hybrid fern (Athyrium niponicum var. pictum and Athyrium filix-femina) that is noted for its upright silvery foliage. Silvery foliage is acquired from its Japanese painted fern parent and upright habit from its lady fern parent. It typically grows to 30” tall. It features a slowly spreading clump of fronds that are a soft grayish-green with an overlay of silvery hues accented by contrasting dark maroon midribs. Silvering is best in the spring, with fronds becoming more grayish-green as hot temperatures arrive.

Problems: Click for detailed list of pests and problems.

No serious insect or disease problems.

Uses:

Woodland gardens, shade gardens or shaded border fronts. Also effective in shaded areas near streams or ponds. Good background plant.

© Missouri Botanical Garden, 2001-2009


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