Species American Alpine Lady Fern
yellow-green leaves with green stems

American Alpine Lady Fern

Athyrium distentifolium var. americanum

American Alpine Lady Fern is a delicate and graceful wild fern, named for its fronds' similarity to a noble lady's fan. It is an evergreen variety with ovoid leaves measuring up to 4" long. It grows naturally in the mountain ravines of the western United States, but will also thrive in part to full shade at home. This lovely ferngrows to a height of 24" and can spread up to 25". Its new leaves are soft emerald green with silver-gray undersides, turning to deep green as they mature. Low maintenance and hardy, it's a welcome addition to any garden!

Watering:

Frequent

Propagation:

Division,Cutting,Spore Propagation,Layering Propagation

Hardiness Zone:

Flowers:

Flowers

Sun:

full sun,part sun/part shade

Fruits:

brown Fruits Ready In Fall

Leaf:

Yes

Leaf Color:

green

Growth Rate:

Low

Care Level:

Medium

watering

American Alpine Lady Fern should be watered during the growing season, usually from spring to mid-fall, once or twice a week. The soil should be kept evenly moist, but not soggy. Water thoroughly, and allow the top 2-3 inches of soil to dry out before watering again. During periods of extreme heat, watering may need to be increased. Avoid watering in the evening as this can cause root rot. In colder months, reduce watering to once a month or less, allowing the soil to fully dry between waterings.

sunlight

American Alpine Lady Ferns require full or partial shade, preferably dappled shade, with indirect sunlight for optimal growth. This species requires at least 2 to 4 hours of direct sunlight during spring and summer months, though extended exposure to 8 hours or more is also recommended for maximum growth potential. Generally, American Alpine Lady Ferns prefer to be in the shade or lightly shaded during the hottest times of day in the afternoon, when the sun is strongest. Keeping this plant in areas with bright but indirect light, away from too much direct sunlight, will ensure its health.

pruning

Pruning of American Alpine Lady Fern should be done in late spring or early summer (May-July) in order to promote healthy growth and remove damaged leaves. Pruning should be kept to a minimum, and only excessive or damaged fronds should be removed. This will ensure that the plant has enough foliage to retain moisture and remain healthy. Also, large branches should be pruned back to a healthy side shoot in order to encourage the growth of new, healthy fronds. Pruning should be done carefully and gently in order to avoid damaging the delicate fronds of the American Alpine Lady Fern.