Perennial of the Month-- February 2009

(a-thear' ee-um nip-pon' i-cum pic' tum) (pronunciation at link, turn up volume if too low)

Common name: Burgundy Lace Japanese Painted Fern, Ghost fern

Family: Dryopteridaceae, Wood fern

Height x width: 18-24" x 12-18"

Growth rate, habit: slow, upright

Foliage: deep burgundy, especially in spring, and along veins when mature, frosted silver which gives an overall pink effect, persisting through the season; leaves lanceolate, twice pinnate;  pinnules lanceolate to oblong, 2 pinnate, pinnules lobed and incised; leaves to one foot long and half as wide

Flowers: NA (a fern)

Hardiness: USDA zones 4-9

Soil: prefers moist, fertile, well-drained but somewhat adaptable

Light: part to full shade

Pests and problems: none serious, possibly rust

Landscape habit, uses: shade gardens, shade containers, understory and woodland gardens, path edges, groups; combines well with lungworts, red-leaved coralbells, white bleeding heart, silver-leaved Siberian bugloss cultivars

Other interest: from Terra Nova nurseries in 2003, US Plant Patent PP 15072, originating as a chance sport, more burgundy than other similar cultivars

Other culture: winter dormancy is required for growth, about 12 weeks of cool; drought can force plants into dormancy

Propagation: commercial propagation only by licensed propagators; at home divide in spring if needed

Sources:  many specialty perennial nurseries, Terra Nova nurseries (wholesale)