What: Japanese painted fern, or eared lady fern, brings amazing and colorful foliage to the shade garden. The silvers and purplish-reds that are overlaid on the fronds brightens any shadowy situation.
Where: Although delicate in appearance, eared lady fern is a tough and reliable grower that will perform well in the garden or as a container plant. It needs protection from hot afternoon sun and is best in light, open, or dappled shade.
Size: Grows to 1 foot 9 inches tall and 2 feet wide in 10 years.
Care: Provide a location with rich well-drained soil and water regularly during dry weather. Although this fern is deciduous, its foliage lasts well into early winter, often not losing its appeal until December, when it should be cut to the ground, when the fronds look tattered.
— greatplantpicks.org
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