Athyrium filix-femina Frizelliae - Lady Fern

Athyrium filix-femina 'Frizelliae' is a curious lady fern, which vaguely resembles a large tuft of tender green parsley. This small, airy and flexible plant bears deciduous and narrow fronds, with circular and toothed lobes arranged on either side of the central vein, which give it its uniqueness. Their colour is a delicate, satin-like, light green, which is very bright in the shade. This variety of small growth is ideal for containers and borders. It should be grown in a semi-shaded position, in light, humus-rich and moist soil.

Athyrium filix-femina, also known as Asplenium filix-femina, is a perennial fern belonging to the Dryopteridaceae family, just like male ferns belonging to the genus Dryopteris, from which it distinguishes itself by its lesser vigour. It is native to many temperate regions of the northern hemisphere (Asia, North America, Europe). This species was the great favourite of Victorian ferneries in the late 19th century, and has since then produced numerous cultivars, including 'Frizelliae', a cultivar from over a 100 years ago. 'Frizelliae' is a small fern that will not exceed 40 cm (16in) in height and 50 cm (20in) in spread. It grows from an upright and scaly rhizome. Its fronds, with a somewhat fragile appearance, are totally deciduous in winter. They are very narrow and bear rounded and crisped leaflets that are arranged along the thread-like rachis. Due to the thread-like size of its foliage, this plant has less water needs, which allows it to be planted in slightly drier soils, neglected by other ferns.

All ferns from the Athyrium genus are deciduous in winter. That being said, they are very cold-resistant and are very easy to grow in any fresh soil rich in leaf compost. 'Frizelliae', due to its small growth, is very well suited for containers, embellishing a shaded rockery, or bordering a less sunny path. This truly unusual fern does not like overly moist soils in fresh woodlands, and will be a good companion for primroses, creeping bugles, Corydalis, bleeding hearts...