{"product_id":"athyrium-niponicum-metallicum","title":"Athyrium niponicum 'Metallicum'","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe \u003cstrong\u003eAthyrium niponicum 'Metallicum'\u003c\/strong\u003e, better known as the \u003cstrong\u003eJapanese painted fern\u003c\/strong\u003e, is one of the most colourful hardy ferns you can grow. Its arching, deeply divided fronds are a soft silver-grey with a cool metallic sheen, brushed with green and flushed wine-red along the midribs and burgundy stems. Few shade plants light up a dim corner quite like it, and it holds the RHS Award of Garden Merit as a genuinely garden-worthy \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/exotic-border-plants\"\u003eexotic border\u003c\/a\u003e fern.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eFully hardy across the UK (around \u003cstrong\u003eRHS H6\u003c\/strong\u003e), the painted fern comfortably tolerates -15C and often lower, so it needs no winter protection. It is deciduous, dying back for winter and reshooting fresh, silvery croziers each spring. Slowly spreading and never invasive, it is one of the most rewarding \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/plants-for-shade\"\u003eplants for shade\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eHow and where to grow\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePosition:\u003c\/strong\u003e partial to full shade; a little indirect light deepens the silver and burgundy tones.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSoil:\u003c\/strong\u003e moist, humus-rich, neutral to acid soil enriched with leaf mould.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSize:\u003c\/strong\u003e a slowly spreading clump to around 0.4 m tall and 0.6 m wide over 2 to 5 years.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHardiness:\u003c\/strong\u003e fully hardy, around RHS H6, to about -15C or below.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003eKeep the soil reliably moist, especially while establishing, as this fern dislikes drying out. It is generally non-toxic and pet-friendly, and its low, spreading habit is perfect for the front of a border, a shaded patio container among your \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/plants-for-pots\"\u003eplants for pots\u003c\/a\u003e, or woven through other \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/hardy-exotics\"\u003ehardy exotics\u003c\/a\u003e. For an unnamed alternative, see our generic \u003ca href=\"\/products\/athyrium-sp\"\u003eAthyrium lady fern\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eEvery fern we send is nursery-grown and carefully selected for a strong crown and healthy roots. For how hardy ferns settle in through the seasons, see our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/hardy-exotics-what-to-expect\"\u003ewhat to expect\u003c\/a\u003e notes.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"GROW TROPICALS","offers":[{"title":"15cm \/ 1.5L","offer_id":58089431957887,"sku":"ATHYMETA15","price":12.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0361\/9645\/0348\/files\/metallicum.jpg?v=1785842604","url":"https:\/\/growtropicals.com\/products\/athyrium-niponicum-metallicum","provider":"GrowTropicals","version":"1.0","type":"link"}