Athyrium spinulosum

Spinulose Lady Fern Athyriaceae

Athyrium spinulosum is a rather splendid woodland fern whose name gives fair warning: spinulosum means “slightly spiny”, referring to the sharply toothed, finely divided pinnules. It has a long, creeping rhizome and widely spaced fronds, giving it a graceful, airy habit rather than forming a dense clump. Its range stretches from Nepal and the eastern Himalaya through China, Korea and Japan to the Russian Far East, with Chinese populations particularly associated with temperate mountain forests. 

Found in damp coniferous and mixed woodland, shrubbery and bamboo groves, it occurs from approximately 800–3,000m. In cultivation, provide partial shade to shade, humus-rich soil and reliable summer moisture. It appreciates cool, woodland conditions and should not be allowed to bake dry. A useful fern for naturalistic planting beneath trees, where its finely cut foliage can weave gracefully amongst other woodland perennials.

Altitude: 800–3,000m
Hardiness: H6, approximately −20 to −15°C
Height: 45–60cm
Spread: 50–80cm