DESCRIPTION: Ghost Fern's attractive ferny bipinnately compound leaves emerge silver in spring, turning light green in colour with hints of silver throughout the season. The flowers are not ornamentally significant. The deep purple stems are very colorful and add to the overall interest of the plant.

BOTANICAL NAME: Athyrium filix-femina 'Ghost'
AVERAGE HEIGHT: 75 cm
AVERAGE SPREAD: 60 cm
SUN EXPOSURE: Partial sun to full shade
FLOWER COLOUR: N/A
FLOWERING TIME: N/A
FOLIAGE COLOUR: Silvery-green fronds and reddish stems
COLD HARDINESS: Zone 4  ( Should survive up to -34.4° Celsius )
WATER NEEDS: Prefers fairly moist location
OTHER FEATURES: Attractive Foliage, Border, Deer Resistant, Moisture Tolerant, Rabbit Resistant

Landscape Attributes

Ghost Fern is a dense herbaceous fern with an upright spreading habit of growth. Its relatively fine texture sets it apart from other garden plants with less refined foliage.

This is a relatively low maintenance plant, and usually looks its best without pruning, although it will tolerate pruning. Deer don't particularly care for this plant and will usually leave it alone in favor of tastier treats. It has no significant negative characteristics.

Ghost Fern is recommended for the following landscape applications:

• Mass Planting
• Border Edging
• General Garden Use
• Groundcover
• Naturalizing And Woodland Gardens

Planting & Growing

Ghost Fern will grow to be about 30 inches tall at maturity, with a spread of 30 inches. Its foliage tends to remain dense right to the ground, not requiring facer plants in front. It grows at a slow rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 15 years. It can be propagated by division; however, as a cultivated variety, be aware that it may be subject to certain restrictions or prohibitions on propagation.

This plant does best in partial shade to shade. It prefers to grow in moist to wet soil, and will even tolerate some standing water. It is particular about its soil conditions, with a strong preference for rich, acidic soils. It is somewhat tolerant of urban pollution, and will benefit from being planted in a relatively sheltered location. Consider applying a thick mulch around the root zone over the growing season to conserve soil moisture. This particular variety is an interspecific hybrid. Parts of the plant are known to be toxic to humans and animals, so care should be exercised in planting it around children and pets.