Astilbe (False Spirea)
Astilbes have been grown for years, but are misunderstood plants in those areas with warm summers. When planted in regular garden conditions, they last only a couple of seasons before succumbing to our weather. We have found that by planting them in very moist areas, astilbes not only survive but grow well. For conditions less than ideal, we recommend the Astilbe chinensis types which are much more forgiving under adverse conditions. Astilbes provide dramatic color displays in the spring woodland garden.

Astilbe 'Alive and Kicking' (False Spirea)

Sun to Part SunZone: 3-7 32" tall Origin: Hybrid
Web-Only! We are trialing these new Astilbe chinensis hybrids and invite you to trial along with us. The 32" tall flower spikes, which emerge in late spring, are the typical form of A. chinensis with more of a rosy-pink coloration. Moist soils are best. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #07014
$12.00  
Astilbe chinensis 'Maggie Daley' (False Spirea)

Astilbe chinensis 'Maggie Daley' (False Spirea)

Part Sun to Light ShadeZone: 4-7, at least 28" tall Origin: China
Web-Only! This recent introduction emerges with bronze-tinted foliage, forming a dense 1' wide clump topped in early summer with rigidly upright plumes of lavender-pink. We doubt this is actually a true A. chinensis; it is more likely a hybrid. In our trials, it has performed amazingly well through two brutally hot and humid summers. A. 'Maggie Daley' is great for adding a spiky accent in the moist part of the garden. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #05788
$12.00  

Astilbe chinensis 'Stand and Deliver' PPAF (Stand and Deliver False Spirea)

Sun to Part SunZone: 3-8a, guessing 30" tall Origin: Hybrid
Web-Only! We're testing this new Astilbe chinensis hybrid from Holland's Henricus G. J. Verduin. Typically, the A. chinensis types fare very well in our hot, humid summers, and we hope these are no different. A. 'Stand and Deliver' makes a 2.5' tall clump of attractive, dark green foliage, topped in early summer with tight spikes of rosy-pink flowers. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #07696
$12.00  
Astilbe chinensis 'Visions' (Visions False Spirea)

Astilbe chinensis 'Visions' (Visions False Spirea)

Part Sun to Light ShadeZone: 4-8 14" tall Origin: China, Japan, Korea
Web-Only! We have been very impressed with this late 1990's introduction from the Netherlands. A. chinensis 'Visions' boasts the same tough durability and heat tolerance found in other A. chinensis selections but with much improved spikes of raspberry-pink flowers atop the 14" stems in July. This tough astilbe will tolerate conditions in the warmer parts of the country much better than many of the more commonly grown hybrids. A grouping of A. 'Visions' in the woodland garden is the perfect backdrop for a specimen hosta. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #02520
$12.00  
Athyrium (Lady Fern)
Lady ferns have long been prized (especially during the Victorian fern craze) for being an easy-to-grow and spectacular group of ferns. The sheer number of named selections of the lady fern (Athyrium filix-femina) boggles the mind. This doesn't take into account the 180 additional species of lady fern. This combination of US and Asian natives makes this genus of ferns one of the most widely grown of all temperate fern genera.
Athyrium felix-femina 'Minutissimum' (Dwarf Lady Fern)

Athyrium felix-femina 'Minutissimum' (Dwarf Lady Fern)

Part Sun to ShadeZone: 4-8, at least 12" tall Origin: USA, Europe
Web-Only! Athyrium filix-femina 'Minutissimum' is one of our favorite ferns for the small garden. This easy-to-grow fern prefers slightly moist soil, but is also very drought tolerant. A. 'Minutissimum' forms a delightful 1' tall x 2' wide clump of arching light green fronds, which is much shorter than a full-sized lady that can reach 3-4' in height...very cute! Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #07731
$12.00  
Athyrium filix-femina 'Dre's Dagger' (Dre's Dagger Lady Fern)

Athyrium filix-femina 'Dre's Dagger' (Dre's Dagger Lady Fern)

Part Sun to ShadeZone: 4-8 12" tall Origin: USA, Europe
Web-Only! This attention-getting selection of deciduous lady fern is a vegetatively produced (cloned), selected sporling from the popular Athyrium filix-femina 'Victoriae'. The cruciate fronds form a unique three-dimensional X, each ending in a small petticoat. This easy-to-grow dwarf selection from Angelo and Carol Randaci is about half the size of typical A. 'Victoriae'. Each frond matures at just over 18" long, while each cross measures 1.5" from tip to tip. If you've already got lots of crosses in your gardens, plant these underneath for a textural echo. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #05779
$15.00  
Athyrium filix-femina 'Encourage' (Crested Lady Fern)

Athyrium filix-femina 'Encourage' (Crested Lady Fern)

Part Sun to Light ShadeZone: 4-8 12" tall Origin: USA
This hot, new, vegetatively propagated selection of the deciduous southern lady fern was selected by Angelo and Carol Randaci of Kentucky's The Fernery. Each 1' wide clump of light green foliage is composed of 18" long arching fronds, each ending with a huge petticoat. I don't know about you, but I'm all for encouraging more petticoats in the garden. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #05274
SOLD OUT
Athyrium filix-femina 'Frizelliae' (Tatting Fern)

Athyrium filix-femina 'Frizelliae' (Tatting Fern)

Part Sun to Light ShadeZone: 3-8 12" tall Origin: USA, Europe
This selection of deciduous lady fern from Europe is one of the most unique ferns available today. Found in 1857 in Ireland in the garden of a Mrs. Frizell, the tatting fern is known to most avid gardeners. The narrow fronds, to less than 1" wide, are clothed up both sides with fuzzy green, ear-like projections. I know this sounds really bizarre, but normal folks are even attracted to this unusual fern...a great 1' tall x 18" wide specimen plant for a special spot in the woodland! Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #02362
$15.00  
Athyrium filix-femina 'Lady in Red' (Northern Lady Fern)

Athyrium filix-femina 'Lady in Red' (Northern Lady Fern)

Part Sun to Light ShadeZone: 2-8 20" tall Origin: USA
From a volunteer at The New England Wildflower Society comes a hot new selection of our native lady fern (Athyrium filix-femina var. angustum forma rubellum) that's all the rage. The lacy, light green foliage is held upright on dark, brilliant red-violet stipes (fern stems). Each plant of this slowly spreading fern should spread to 3' in 5 years. This deciduous, easy-to-grow fern makes a great blending plant for hosta and other bold-leaf plants in the woodland garden. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #04968
$15.00  
Athyrium filix-femina 'Victoriae' (Victoria Lady Fern)

Athyrium filix-femina 'Victoriae' (Victoria Lady Fern)

Part Sun to ShadeZone: 4-8 18" tall Origin: USA, Europe
Considered the "Queen of Ferns," this exquisite selection of the deciduous lady fern was the pride and joy of the Victorian fern craze. The narrow pinnae are like little green boomerangs. As they are attached to each side of the stem, the effect is a three-dimensional stunner. At the end of each pinna, the fronds are crested, adding to the exquisite beauty. For us, it forms an 18" tall x 18" wide clump. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #02361
$15.00  
Athyrium 'Ghost' (Ghost Fern)

Athyrium 'Ghost' (Ghost Fern)

Part Sun to ShadeZone: 4-8 30" tall Origin: Hybrid
Visitors to our garden have waited for years to be able to get their hands on this tremendous new fern from the VA garden of Nancy Swell. This vigorous and easy-to-grow hybrid between Japanese painted fern (Athyrium niponicum 'Pictum') x Southern lady fern (Athyrium filix-femina) combines the best features of both parents. The result is a rigidly upright fern to 2-3' tall with the silvery grey foliage of the A. niponicum. The "formal" effect of this fern opens up a new array of design possibilities in the woodland garden...superb as a hosta backdrop or the perfect addition to the "haunted garden"! Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #03881
$12.00  
Athyrium niponicum 'Apple Court' (Crested Japanese Painted Fern)

Athyrium niponicum 'Apple Court' (Crested Japanese Painted Fern)

Part Sun to Light ShadeZone: 5-8 12" tall Origin: Japan
Web-Only! We obtained this gem from Roger Grounds and Diana Grenfell, former owners of Apple Court Nursery in the UK. This amazing selection of Japanese painted fern not only has lovely purple, silver and green markings, but each leaf is dramatically crested both up the sides and onto the tip. Our specimen in the garden has matured at 1' tall x 1' wide. This is a superb addition to the woodland garden that we are very pleased to introduce to commerce. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #05288
$12.00  
Athyrium niponicum 'Burgundy Lace' PP 15,072, PVR (Japanese Painted Fern)

Athyrium niponicum 'Burgundy Lace' PP 15,072, PVR (Japanese Painted Fern)

Part Sun to ShadeZone: 5-8 12" tall Origin: Japan
We first saw this amazing selection of Japanese painted fern on a West Coast trip in 1999 and have been patiently waiting for adequate stock to offer. Actually, "patiently" might not be a good choice of words. Regardless, the new leaves are a stunning purple with silver stripes along the vein lines and tips. As the older leaves mature, they transform into a contrasting silvery green with purple midribs. Athyrium 'Burgundy Lace' forms a truly dazzling clump in the woodland garden. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #05105
$15.00  
Athyrium niponicum 'Pewter Lace' PP 15,721, PVR (Japanese Painted Fern)

Athyrium niponicum 'Pewter Lace' PP 15,721, PVR (Japanese Painted Fern)

Part Sun to Light ShadeZone: 5-8 12" tall Origin: Japan    alternate image
This new Terra Nova selection of Japanese painted fern makes a 2' wide clump composed of fronds of a nice pewtery silver color, highlighted by a dark central zone. This is a clonally propagated selection to ensure that all plants are identical. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #05796
$15.00  
Athyrium niponicum 'Silver Falls' PP 12,803 PVR (Silver Falls Painted Fern)

Athyrium niponicum 'Silver Falls' PP 12,803 PVR (Silver Falls Painted Fern)

Part Sun to ShadeZone: 5-8 12" tall Origin: Japan
From Oregon's Diana Ballantyne comes this stunning new, vegetatively propagated selection of the wonderful Japanese painted fern. A. 'Silver Falls' has long, arching fronds that display an extraordinary amount of silver patterning, highlighted by the dramatic red-purple veining in the leaves. This fern has more abundant and brighter-colored markings than most ladies of the evening...and is a whole lot cheaper! Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #03889
SOLD OUT
Athyrium 'Ocean's Fury' (Ocean's Fury Fern)

Athyrium 'Ocean's Fury' (Ocean's Fury Fern)

Part Sun to Light ShadeZone: 5-9, at least 36" tall Origin: Hybrid
NEW! From North Carolina's own Thurman Maness comes this new Japanese painted fern hybrid that forms a 3' tall x 2' wide clump with silver green fronds, each ending with an attractive petticoat...a unique breakthrough...both the fern and Thurman! Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #07817
$15.00  
Athyrium otophorum (Asian Lady Fern)

Athyrium otophorum (Asian Lady Fern)

Part Sun to Light ShadeZone: 6-9, at least 18" tall Origin: China, Japan    alternate image
Web-Only! This lovely, 2' wide fern is one of those that is actually recognizable from a distance. The triangular, plastic-like, pewter-green fronds are accented with dark reddish stipes (stems). When the new growth emerges, the contrast of the unfurling, reddish new foliage is dynamite against the green of the fronds...outstanding as a specimen plant in the woodland garden! Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #00791
$12.00  
Athyrium petersenii (Petersen's Lady Fern)

Athyrium petersenii (Petersen's Lady Fern)

Part Sun to ShadeZone: 7-10 12" tall Origin: Asia
Web-Only! (syn: Deparia petersenii) This robust and easy-to-grow fern has been a charmer in our garden for the last decade. The lime-green fronds reach 1' in length, making an attractive small clump. A. petersenii spreads by short rhizomes, making it just vigorous enough but not too aggressive to be a great garden specimen. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #04405
$12.00  
Athyrium thelypteroides (Silver Glade Fern)

Athyrium thelypteroides (Silver Glade Fern)

Light Shade to ShadeZone: 4-9 24" tall Origin: USA    alternate image
Web-Only! (syn: Deparia acrostichoides) This southeastern US native makes a wonderfully easy-to-grow, 2' tall specimen with fronds that can reach 4' in length. When grown in moist conditions and rich soils, the slowly spreading rhizome will form a large patch, to 3' wide, in 5 years. The common name of silver glade fern comes from the color of the leaf underside, arising from the developing spores. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #04624
SOLD OUT
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