Centre Commons Perennials - Athyrium otophorum 'Okanum'

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Athyrium otophorum ‘Okanum’

Similar to the Japanese Painted Fern, Athyrium ‘Okanum’ has more subtle colouring and greater winter hardiness. The sturdy, arching, triangular fronds are silvery green with dark red stems. Some sun will help to draw out this colouring. As the season progresses, the fronds deepen to solid green. This a well-behaved, clumping fern that has received the Award of Garden Merit from the Royal Horticultural Society.
Uses
Ideal massed or as a specimen in the shady border, or in containers. It is also excellent for fresh cut foliage.
Cultivation
Thrives in part to full shade in rich, average to moist soil with a neutral to moderately acidic pH. Mulch the first winter. Leaving the old fronds on the plant over the winter will protect the crowns and tender shoots in spring. Remove them when the emerging fronds reach 15 cm tall. Not appealing to rabbits.