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Japanese painted fern and Northern maidenhair fern: growing conditions and wildlife benefits.

COMMON CHOICE Japanese painted fern Athyrium niponicum	NATIVE ALTERNATIVE Northern maidenhair fern Adiantum pedatum
	GO NATIVE
Native range
Eastern Asia	Eastern North AmericaSee state guides
Sunlight
Part to full shade	Shade
Soil moisture
Moist, rich, well-drained soil	Average moisture
Mature height
1½–2 ft	1–3 ft
Mature spread
1½–2 ft	1½–3 ft
USDA hardiness zones
4–9	3–8
Season of interest
Spring–fall foliage	Spring–fall foliage
Garden & wildlife value
Not listed in the source profile; this fern has no flowers or nectar.	Lacy fronds shelter small woodland animals and provide material for bird nests.
Growing notes
Slowly expands into a clump. Light shade brings out the frond colors; strong sun can wash them out.	Keep the soil rich, moist, and well drained; delicate fronds can brown in hot, dry weather.
Growing information	Growing information

Sizes describe the species; individual cultivars can differ.