Simcoe County Master Gardeners
Grow Natives!
PLANT PROFILE
COMMON NAME: Lady Fern aka Northern Lady Fern
BINOMIAL: Athyrium filix-femina aka Athyrium angustum
| Family | Dryopteridaceae |
| Cdn Native Range | all Canadian provinces |
| Natural habitat | forests, forest edges, swamps, woodlands |
| Type | herbaceous perennial |
| Features | fine textured, lacy foliage, sometimes reddish-brown late in the season |
| Growth habit | compact/clumping, vase shaped, shallow rhizome |
| Mature height | 60 – 150 cm (24 – 60”) |
| Mature spread | 90 – 180 cm (36 – 72”) usually compact but will spread if left for a long period |
| Life span | long |
| Hardiness Zone | 3 – 9 |
| Growing conditions | part shade (dappled, morning sun), shade, no full sun |
| Soil conditions | moisture—wet, average, organically rich |
| Watering needs | intolerant of long periods of drought |
| Fertilizer needs | prefers organically rich soil |
| Tolerance | deer and rabbit browsing |
| Maintenance rank | low |
| Maintenance needs | cut back if needed to maintain compact shape |
| Bloom | non-flowering |
| Fruit | n/a |
| Pollinator support | n/a |
| Environmental support | cover for small mammals and birds |
| Garden Use | naturalize, massing, groundcover, rain garden |
| Risks & Cautions | filicic acid may be toxic to some livestock; an overdose is toxic and potentially fatal to humans; easily damaged by trampling |
References: Ontario Ferns, ontarioferns.com; USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service; Native Plant Trust Plant Finder; North American Native Plant Assn
Photo Credits:
Lady Fern (credit: Krysztof Ziarnek, Kenraiz)
Lady fern (credit: W. Carter)
