I have to admit, I am not quite sure whether this is now truly considered a distinct species, or a sub species from Athyrium filix-femina (lady fern). Whatever the case, I added the “forma rubellum” to my yard. This fern can be grown quite easily on rich woodland soils, although it does not like wet feet or windy conditions. The light green fronds are attached to red stems (or “stipes” to use the correct botanical term). The effect is stunning. Northern lady fern will form dense colonies, as new growth sprouts from rather short rhizomes. In comparison, ostrich fern is putting out new growth one or even two feet away from the original plant, leaving plenty of space in between. I have an area where I mixed different ferns: Ostrich ferns provide the stately height and structure, christmas ferns provide year round foliage, and the northern lady ferns will add the accents of red and sunlight bouncing off light green fronds. Ferns take their time to emerge from the soil, so I have trout lilly and virginia bluebells among the ferns to provide color in April and early May.
You will see cultivars of this plant in garden centers, as it is a fern that readily adapts to new surroundings (provided you have the right soil conditions)
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