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    • Photo of Athyrium 'Ghost' foliage by Far Reaches Farm

    Photo by Far Reaches Farm

    Used with permission, all rights reserved

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    Buy Athyrium 'Ghost'

    Also Known As

    • Athyrium x 'Ghost'
    • Ghost Fern

    Plant type

    fern

    size

    • H: 24"-36"
    • W: 12"-36"

    planting zones

    • 5a-9b

    4" | $16

    Ships USPS, based on weight/location

    Fewer than 14 at Secret Garden Growers

    3/4 gallon pot-bare root | $13

    Ships as soon as new growth is hardened off

    30 at Sebright Gardens

    1 gallon | $25

    Buy button links to nursery site for checkout

    Fewer than 16 at Forestfarm

    More Options

    Athyrium 'Ghost' plant details

    Athyrium 'Ghost' is a moderate-growing, slow-growing deciduous fern with blue, green, purple and variegated foliage. Grows well with bright shade - shade and even moisture - regular water. Does well in average, rich and well-drained soil. A good option if you're seeking something heat tolerant, humidity tolerant and verticillium wilt resistant.

    CHARACTERISTICS OF Athyrium 'Ghost'

    Plant type: fern
    Plant family: athyriaceae
    Foliage: deciduous blue, green, purple and variegated
    Mature size: 12 IN - 36 IN - wide, 24 IN - 36 IN - tall
    Uses: border plant, clumping, goth garden, purple stems, woodland garden

    GROWING CONDITIONS for Athyrium 'Ghost'

    USDA Zones: 5a - 9b
    Sun exposure: bright shade - shade
    Watering frequency: even moisture - regular
    Resistant to: deer and rabbit, heat, humidity and verticillium wilt
    Soil needs: average, rich and well-drained

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    Nursery contributed plant descriptions

    ‘Ghost’ is a cross between lady fern (Athyrium filix-femina) and Japanese painted fern (A. niponicum ‘Pictum’). The result is a clump-forming rigidly upright large fern with ghostly silver-grey foliage and dark stems. It will grow between two and three feet tall with a similar spread. Plant anywhere in shade, even in rather dry conditions.

    By: Phoenix Perennials and Specialty Plants Ltd.

    ?A very handsome plant? (J. Mickel) and easy to grow, the 2-4' erect-arching bipinnate-pinnatifid (finely cut) fronds of this Painted-Lady hybrid are a soft gray-green with burgundy center and reddish rachis (stem). PSh/M

    By: Forestfarm

    Glowing lacy fronds of mint white form vase shaped clumps 3’ high and 2’ wide! Light shade is best (will burn in hot sun); rich well drained soil that is consistently moist but not wet. Deciduous. Great Plant Picks.

    By: Secret Garden Growers

    This compact bugleweed selection comes from Japan where its slow clumping growth habit and upwardly cupped, crinkled, grey-green, deer-resistant leaves with a pink overlay are highly prized.

    By: Noname Nursery

    Zn 4. Ghostly silvery-white fronds. Unique.

    By: Little Prince of Oregon

    Deciduous hybrid fern (Athyrium niponicum var. pictum and Athyrium filix-femina) that is noted for its upright silvery foliage. 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. Growth Rate slow

    By: Garden World

    Ghost Fern is a dependable cold-hardy landscape fern for shady or woodland areas. The steely-gray fronds grow 3' tall and have reddish stems and veins that make it stand out among other ferns or hardy perennials. Hardy in zones 3-8, it's a reliable mid-sized fern for northern gardens even in cold zones. Grow in fertile, moist soil in a shady setting.

    By: Logee's Plants for Home & Garden

    Athyrium x 'Ghost' A cross between American Lady fern and Jap. Painted fern. Ghostly grey-green foliage makes an excellent accent color to the garden. A real show stopper.

    By: Accents for Home and Garden

    A strong, tall growing, ghostly mound of steely grey swords. Plant in low sun to dappled shade with moist, well drained soil. 30"-36" tall. Zones 3 to 8; Clumping & Deciduous.

    By: Sebright Gardens

    A sterile hybrid of Japanese Painted Fern and Lady fern from John Mickel, 'Ghost' produces stunning 2-3' tall clumps of pale silver green fronds. 'Ghost' is tolerant of average soil but really thrives where the soil stays evenly moist. Like all ferns, it is deer resistant.

    By: Avant Gardens

    This sterile deciduous clumper is a cross between the American Lady Fern and the Japanese Painted Fern. Ghostly gray-green fronds to 3' long shimmers in the shade garden especially when deployed against a dark background. Hardy as all get out and easy - just not too dry.

    By: Far Reaches Farm

    Pewter gray-green upright fronds are subtly radiant in shady areas of the woodland and intrigue garden visitors. A nice accompaniment for whites and pastels. 3 x 3 feet and deciduous.

    By: Dancing Oaks Nursery

    This painted fern has purple stems and the center of the fronds will also be purple. The ‘Ghost’ comes from the large amount of silver on the fronds. A lovely deciduous fern that will slowly spread.

    By: Gossler Farms

    Gardening facts about Athyrium 'Ghost' plant

    How to Grow Athyrium 'Ghost'

    • Sun Exposure

      • bright shade - shade

    • Water Needs

      • even moisture - regular

    • Soil Needs

      • average
      • well-drained
      • rich

    • Special Situation

      • heat tolerant
      • humidity tolerant
      • verticillium wilt resistant

    Features

    • Foliage Color

      • variegated
      • green
      • blue
      • purple

    • Wildlife

      • deer resistant
      • rabbit resistant

    • Foliage Season

      • deciduous

    See other plant types of Athyrium for your garden

    Athyrium filix-femina 'Victoriae'

    aka Athyrium felix-femina 'Victoria Short Fern', Fern, Lady Fern, Victorian Lady Fern

    Plant Type

    Fern

    Zones

    3a-9b

    Size

    Height: 2'-3'

    Width: 2'-4'

    • mostly sun - shade
    • even moisture - regular
    Photo of Athyrium filix-femina 'Victoriae' foliage by Red Panda Nursery
    View Plant

    Athyrium otophorum

    aka Athyrium otophorum 'Auriculate Lady Fern', Eared Lady Fern, Lady Fern

    Plant Type

    Fern

    Zones

    5a-9b

    Size

    Height: 18"-24"

    Width: 12"-24"

    • bright shade - shade
    • even moisture - regular
    Photo of Athyrium otophorum foliage by plant lust
    View Plant

    Athyrium niponicum 'Pictum'

    Scientific Name: Anisocampium niponicum Pictum Group

    aka Anisocampium niponicum var. pictum, Athyrium niponicum var. pictum, Japanese Painted Fern

    Plant Type

    Fern

    Zones

    3a-9b

    Size

    Height: 12"-24"

    Width: 12"-24"

    • bright shade - shade
    • even moisture - regular
    Photo of Athyrium niponicum 'Pictum' foliage by Fantastic Plants
    View Plant

    Athyrium filix-femina 'Frizelliae'

    aka Lady Fern, Tatting Fern

    Plant Type

    Fern

    Zones

    4a-9b

    Size

    Height: 12"-18"

    Width: 16"-24"

    • bright shade - shade
    • even moisture - regular
    Photo of Athyrium filix-femina 'Frizelliae' foliage by Briggs Plant Propagators
    View Plant

    More Options

    Athyrium 'Branford Rambler'

    aka Athyrium x 'Branford Rambler', Branford Rambler Fern

    Plant Type

    Fern

    Zones

    4a-9b

    Size

    Height: 18"-24"

    Width: 24"-48"

    • mostly sun - shade
    • even moisture - regular
    Photo of Athyrium 'Branford Rambler' foliage by Avant Gardens
    View Plant

    More Options

    +37 more Athyrium
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