Northwest Blooms · Perennials
Athyrium niponicum var. pictum 'Regal Red'
Japanese Painted Fern

- Family
- Athyriaceae
- Height
- 12-18 inches tall
- Width
- 18-24 inches wide
- Flower color
- Non-flowering (grown for foliage)
- Foliage color
- Silvery-green fronds with deep burgundy-red stems and veins
- Bloom time
- Not applicable
- Light
- Partial to full shade
- Water
- Moderate to high
- Maintenance
- Low; trim dead fronds in spring
- Growing zone
- USDA Zones 4-8
- Wildlife
- None
About this plant
Athyrium niponicum var. pictum 'Regal Red' showcases a unique blend of silver and deep red tones, making it an enchanting addition to shaded garden spaces. Its finely divided fronds are edged in silvery green, with a rich, burgundy-red midrib that intensifies through the growing season, creating a vivid contrast. Known as the Japanese painted fern, this cultivar adds a refined, textural quality to woodland gardens and shaded borders.
Originally from Asia, 'Regal Red' has been cultivated for its vivid coloring and intricate frond pattern, which stand out beautifully against darker foliage or shady ground covers. Though not primarily grown for blooms, it brings visual interest year-round with its vibrant foliage, adding depth and color to areas with less sun. This fern's graceful fronds also lend themselves well to container arrangements, where their rich hues can be admired up close.
Works well in
Borders · Shade Gardens · Woodland Gardens · Rain Gardens · Containers
Companion plants
Bleeding hearts · Solomon's seal · Lungworts · Wild ginger · Hellebores · Japanese forest grass
Design tip
Use it as a steady framework plant, repeating it along a bed to tie separate plantings together. Keep it out of hot afternoon sun and layer it with woodland companions for a full, settled look.
Where to see it
This plant can be seen in the perennial border at the Bellevue Botanical Garden.
