Athyrium otophorum 'Okanum'
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EARED LADY FERN
Family : Dryopteridaceae
Pronounced: a-THI-ree-um
GROWING GUIDE
Geographic Origin:
Japan, China and Korea.
Plant Group:
Ferns.
Hardiness:
Sunset zones 3-9, 14-24.
USDA zones: 4-8.
Mature size:
Height: 12-18 inches (30-45 cm)
Width: 15-24 inches ( 38-60 cm).
Leaf attributes:
Red to maroon stems, with fronds that are red tinted, unfurling into a cream-color. As they age, the fronds darken to green with a silvery overlay. New fronds keep unfurling, contrasting against the older greener stems.
Light:
Part to full shade.
Soil:
Well-drained but moist soil with added organic compost.
Feeding:
Side dress with two to three inches of compost each year in spring.
Propagation Methods:
Sow spores when ripe. | Divide in spring or fall.
Rainy Side Notes
Anyone that observes Asian lady fern during spring cannot help but fall in love with it. Its fresh new fronds contrast against the red-maroon stems. It is distinctive looking during the entire growing season. It dies down to the ground after first frost in fall, and re-emerges in spring.
In 1993, A. otophorum 'Okanum' won the Award of Garden Merit from the Royal Horticultural Society.
Debra Teachout-Teashon
Photographed in author's garden.
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