Athyrium x 'Ghost'

Athyrium x 'Ghost' is a hybrid between Anisocampium niponcum var. pictum and Athyrium filix-femina. It combines from this parentage the exotic colouration of the Japanese Painted Fern with the robust upright growth of the Lady Fern resulting in one of the most striking and exotic-looking ferns available. The dark reddish-maroon rhachis and the silvery pinnae create a stunning contrast and open up a wide range of planting combinations for the creative designer.

Athyrium x 'Ghost' was first noticed by the late Nancy Swell. Nancy - affectionately known as 'The Fern Lady' - was an active gardener in Richmond, Virginia. She wrote several articles about ferns and was a contributor to the Brooklyn Botanic Garden's handbook about ferns, 'Ferns: Wild Things Make a Comeback in the Garden' writing the sections, 'How to Grow Ferns' and 'Landscaping with Ferns'. She sent her find to John Mickel, who was Curator of Ferns at the New York Botanical Garden from 1969 to 2004 and the author of the very wonderful, 'Ferns for American Gardens'. From his collection, Athyrium 'Ghost' made its way into collections. Nancy Swell died in 2008, aged 80.

The silvery foliage of Athyrium 'Ghost' becomes more greenish throughout the summer months. It does best away from the sun in a shady moist location where its pale colouration is seen at its best.