A SPIRITED FERN THAT CARRIES A MYSTICAL GLOW IN SHADY SPACES
FEATURES:
- Silver tinted, apple-green foliage accompanied by a dark purple stem
- As the Fern matures it will fade into a soft blue toned green
- Pairs well with bold colored perennials
- Shade and moisture loving
- Hand Selected, Fresh from the Grower
- Ships in a plant-safe designed box
Growth Facts
- Hardiness Zone: 4-9
- Mature Height: 2-3' tall
- Mature Width: 2-3' wide
- Exposure: Full Shade/Part Shade
- Spacing: 3' apart
Ghost Fern
Bower & Branch Trees and Plants
Athyrium x 'Ghost'
Regular price
1 (866) 873-3888
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Friday & Saturday 9AM - 4PM
A SPIRITED FERN THAT CARRIES A MYSTICAL GLOW IN SHADY SPACES
FEATURES:
- Silver tinted, apple-green foliage accompanied by a dark purple stem
- As the Fern matures it will fade into a soft blue toned green
- Pairs well with bold colored perennials
- Shade and moisture loving
- Hand Selected, Fresh from the Grower
- Ships in a plant-safe designed box
Growth Facts
- Hardiness Zone: 4-9
- Mature Height: 2-3' tall
- Mature Width: 2-3' wide
- Exposure: Full Shade/Part Shade
- Spacing: 3' apart
Why plant Ghost Fern?
Pale as moonlight, this hauntingly beautiful Spirit makes shady borders shine with an unearthly light. Ghost Fern is a dramatic plant with fine, feathery fronds that are frosted with a bright silvery sheen. It positively glows in gloomy spaces. Use it to add zest to a north-facing foundation bed, a dark side yard, or a patio plating under a shade tree or arbor. It looks especially striking next to deep green–foliaged plants like Rhododendrons, Bergenia, and Siberian Bugloss. You would think a stunner like this would be a diva, but it’s actually quite easy to grow. Highly recommended.
Passionate gardener Nancy Swell once wrote that, because of their wonderful diversity and natural beauty, “ferns are among the nicest possible things to have around.” She cultivated many varieties of Ferns in her Virginia garden, where she also specialized in Azaleas and Hostas. The Ghost Fern arose in her garden as a cross between two beloved species, the Japanese Painted Fern from East Asia, and the Lady Fern from the U.S. and other parts of the Northern Hemisphere. Swell passed away in 2008, but her legacy lives on in this dreamy Spirit, which gardeners now enjoy all over the world.
How to use Ghost Fern in the landscape?
This shade loving fern works wonders in a wide range of garden themes: woodland, urban, cottage, zen - the possibilities are endless! Just be sure to plant in a shady spot, where the silvery gray-green foliage can shimmer in the breeze.
Planting Zones
Hardiness Zone: 4-9
How To Plant Ghost Fern
Although Ghost Fern is one tough Spirit, treating it well will reap rewards. This means giving it a premium spot in the landscape where it will receive gentle morning sun or dappled sunlight throughout the day. It needs shade when the sun is hottest. This Fern also appreciates rich, organic soil that holds some moisture but drains well and doesn’t stay soggy after a rain. Ghost Fern goes completely dormant in winter, coming to life again in mid-spring.
Got deer? Ferns are usually a safe bet where deer are a problem. They provide needed greenery in the shady woodland garden spaces where deer may come looking for a meal, but deer tend to leave them alone. Ghost Fern is troubled by few pests of any kind and is relatively carefree.
How To Water
Water weekly to ensure the soil remains moist. Regular irrigation is important for lush growth, especially if plants are competing with tree roots for water. The Ghost Fern can tolerate dry spells once established, but it does prefer consistent moisture.
How To Fertilize
Feed your Ghost Fern Elements Starter Plant food frequently through the growing season to be sure that it has plenty of nutrients.
How To Prune
In Spring, remove the old fronds after the new growth has begun to emerge. Be sure to divide the clumps every two to three years to avoid overcrowding and maintain plant health.
