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Japanese painted fern and Licorice fern: growing conditions and wildlife benefits.

COMMON CHOICE Japanese painted fern Athyrium niponicum	NATIVE ALTERNATIVE Licorice fern Polypodium glycyrrhiza
	GO NATIVE
Native range
Eastern Asia	Kamchatka, Aleutian Islands to NW. U.S.A.See state guides
Sunlight
Part to full shade	Shade
Soil moisture
Moist, rich, well-drained soil	Average moisture / Dry soil
Mature height
1½–2 ft	4–16 in
Mature spread
1½–2 ft	16–20 in
USDA hardiness zones
4–9	Choose nursery stock suited to local winters.
Season of interest
Spring–fall foliage	Cool-season fronds
Garden & wildlife value
Not listed in the source profile; this fern has no flowers or nectar.	Native fronds green up a shaded garden during the cooler, wetter part of the year.
Growing notes
Slowly expands into a clump. Light shade brings out the frond colors; strong sun can wash them out.	Needs porous, organic soil; summer dieback can be normal, but new plantings need reliable moisture.
Growing information	Growing information Native range: Kew

Sizes describe the species; individual cultivars can differ.