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Japanese painted fern and Crested wood fern: growing conditions and wildlife benefits.

COMMON CHOICE Japanese painted fern Athyrium niponicum	NATIVE ALTERNATIVE Crested wood fern Dryopteris cristata
	GO NATIVE
Native range
Eastern Asia	Europe to Central Siberia, Canada to U.S.A.See state guides
Sunlight
Part to full shade	Shade
Soil moisture
Moist, rich, well-drained soil	Moist to wet / Average moisture
Mature height
1½–2 ft	1–3 ft
Mature spread
1½–2 ft	2–6 ft
USDA hardiness zones
4–9	3–7
Season of interest
Spring–fall foliage	Seasonal foliage
Garden & wildlife value
Not listed in the source profile; this fern has no flowers or nectar.	Native fronds cover moist shaded ground, with some foliage remaining through mild winters.
Growing notes
Slowly expands into a clump. Light shade brings out the frond colors; strong sun can wash them out.	Give this spreading fern moist, acidic, fertile soil; fertile fronds die back while sterile fronds can persist.
Growing information	Growing information Native range: Kew

Sizes describe the species; individual cultivars can differ.