Not the plant you're looking for? Search over 300,000 plants

Athyrium 'Ghost'

lady fern 'Ghost'

An upright, clump-forming fern growing to 90cm tall. In spring, the emerging new fronds, held up by purple stems, are a whitish colour darkening to silver-green with purple midribs

Synonyms
Athyrium filix-femina 'Ghost'
Athyrium niponicum 'Grey Ghost'

Join the RHS

Become an RHS Member today and save 25% on your first year

Join now
Buy this plant
Size
Ultimate height
0.5–1 metres
Time to ultimate height
5–10 years
Ultimate spread
0.1–0.5 metres
Growing conditions
Clay
Loam
Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Purple Green Grey Silver Purple
Summer Purple Green Grey Silver Purple
Autumn Purple Green Grey Silver Purple
Winter
Position
  • Full shade
  • Partial shade
Aspect

North–facing or East–facing

Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness
H5
Botanical details
Family
Woodsiaceae
Native to GB / Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Clump forming
Genus

Athyrium are deciduous ferns with erect or creeping rhizomes bearing usually pinnate to tripinnate fronds, often of thin texture, and they are especially shade-tolerant

Name status

Accepted

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow in fertile, moist, neutral to acid soil enriched with leaf mould or garden compost, in a shady, sheltered site

Propagation

Propagate by division in spring

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • Patio and container plants
  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Low Maintenance
  • Underplanting of roses and shrubs
  • Flower borders and beds
Pruning

Dead or damaged fronds may be removed as necessary

Pests

Generally pest-free outdoors

Diseases

Generally disease-free outdoors

Get involved

The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.