{"product_id":"japanese-painted-fern","title":"Japanese Painted Fern","description":"\u003ch1\u003eThe Classic Silver-and-Burgundy Fern for Minnesota Shade\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eJapanese Painted Fern (\u003cem\u003eAthyrium niponicum\u003c\/em\u003e var. \u003cem\u003epictum\u003c\/em\u003e) is the most beloved colored fern in the shade garden — arching, metallic-silver fronds brushed with soft burgundy and gray-green, on a tidy, compact clump. Its painterly coloring brightens shaded beds and weaves beautifully among hostas and other woodland plants. Easy, refined, and deer-resistant, it's a must-have for shade borders in Edina, Plymouth, and Eagan.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eJapanese Painted Fern Plant Details\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ctable class=\"mce-item-table\"\u003e\n\u003cthead\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eAttribute\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eDetail\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\u003c\/thead\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBotanical Name\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAthyrium niponicum var. pictum\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMature Size\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e12–18 in. tall, 18–24 in. wide\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHardiness Zone\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e4–8 (Twin Cities is zone 4b–5a — fully hardy)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLight\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePart shade to full shade\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSoil\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMoist, rich soil; tolerates clay with added compost\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWinter Hardiness\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReliable to about -25°F; dies back and returns each spring\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDeer Resistance\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRarely browsed by deer or rabbits\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFoliage\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDeciduous; silver fronds with burgundy and gray-green tones\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eLandscape Uses in Minnesota\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFront-of-shade-border color:\u003c\/strong\u003e Its compact size and metallic color make it ideal for edging shaded beds and walks. Space 18 inches apart.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWoodland weaving:\u003c\/strong\u003e Threads beautifully among hostas, heuchera, and green ferns. Pair with Ghost fern, hostas, and astilbe.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eBest Time to Plant in Minnesota\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePlant in spring (late April–May) or early fall (late August–mid September) into moist, shaded soil. Keep moist through establishment.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eHow to Plant Japanese Painted Fern\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDig a hole twice the root ball width at the same depth, mixing in compost. Set the crown level, backfill, water well, and mulch with shredded leaves. Space 18 inches apart.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWatering Japanese Painted Fern\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFirst year:\u003c\/strong\u003e Keep the soil evenly moist — water every 1–2 days in dry weather.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAfter year one:\u003c\/strong\u003e Maintain steady moisture for the best color. Mulch to retain it; fronds may fade in dry soil.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eQ: How much sun can it take?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIt colors best in part to full shade. A little morning sun is fine, but hot afternoon sun fades and scorches the fronds.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eQ: Does it spread?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIt forms a slowly expanding clump rather than running — well-behaved and easy to place.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eQ: Is it deer-resistant?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes — deer and rabbits rarely browse ferns.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eQ: Will it survive a Minnesota winter?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes — hardy to zone 4, returning each spring.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eYou May Also Like\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGhost Fern (Athyrium):\u003c\/strong\u003e A taller, silver-white relative for contrast.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMaidenhair Fern (Adiantum pedatum):\u003c\/strong\u003e A delicate green native to pair alongside.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHosta:\u003c\/strong\u003e Bold foliage that sets off the painted fern's metallic color.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Three Timbers Minnesota","offers":[{"title":"#1 Gallon","offer_id":54315486642481,"sku":null,"price":12.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0986\/0694\/0465\/files\/japanese-painted-fern.jpg?v=1779727881","url":"https:\/\/threetimbersmn.com\/products\/japanese-painted-fern","provider":"Three Timbers Minnesota","version":"1.0","type":"link"}