Apple Court Painted Fern

A jewel of the painted fern family with silver-washed fronds and burgundy midribs, offering eye-catching metallic shimmer in shaded borders and woodland gardens throughout the season. (Athyrium niponicum 'Apple Court')

$25.00

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Athyrium niponicum ‘Apple Court’ is a stunning Japanese Painted Fern with arching fronds brushed in silver and apple-green, accented by deep burgundy midribs. Perfect for shady borders, woodland gardens, or mixed plantings with Hostas and Heucheras, it brings a luminous splash of color and refined texture to cool, moist spots. Hardy, low-maintenance, and deer resistant, it’s a standout foliage plant that brightens even the darkest corners of the garden.

In stock (400)

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Growing Information

Growing zone guide

Growing Zone Zone 4, Zone 5, Zone 6, Zone 7, Zone 8, Zone 9

Sunlight Partial shade to full shade

Type of Soil Slightly acidic to neutral

Mature Height 12 to 18 inches

Maintenance Level Low maintenance

Water Requirement High water needs (twice a week)

Learn more about this plant

Additional Information

Growth Rate	Moderate; forms graceful clumps that slowly expand over time Typically spreads wider rather than aggressively running
Colorful Leaves	Yes
Flowering	No
Bloom Color	N/A
Ornamental Berries	N/A
Disease resistant	Yes
Cold Tolerant	Yes
Heat Tolerant	No
Drought Tolerant	No
Deer Resistant	Yes
Edible	No
Wildlife Attraction	Provides habitat and cover for insects, amphibians, and other woodland organisms Not a nectar or pollen source but contributes to garden biodiversity in shaded environments
Self-pollinating	N/A
Seasonality	Spring: new fronds unfurl in vibrant silver-green with purple stems Summer: peak foliage display with strong color contrast Fall: fronds fade and die back to the crown Winter: dormant, crown rests underground until spring
Ideal For	– Woodland gardens, shaded borders, foliage gardens, rock gardens, mixed plantings with Hostas or Heucheras, accent for shaded containers
Leaf Description	Arching, finely divided fronds with striking silver-gray to apple-green centers and purple to burgundy midribs Creates a painterly, shimmering effect that is highly ornamental in shaded gardens Deciduous; fronds die back in winter and return in spring
Flower Description	None; ferns reproduce by spores rather than flowers
Pruning & Maintenance	Cut back old fronds in late fall or early spring before new fronds emerge Remove any damaged fronds during the growing season to maintain neat appearance
Water Needs	Needs consistently moist soil, especially during hot summer months Avoid waterlogging but never allow soil to fully dry out Mulch helps retain moisture around the root zone
Light Needs	Prefers partial to full shade; ideal under dappled trees or on the north/east side of buildings Too much sun will scorch delicate fronds, though filtered morning sun can enhance foliage colors if soil is consistently moist
Harvesting	Occasionally fronds may be cut for floral or foliage arrangements, though delicate Not typically harvested for regular use
Fertilizing	Benefits from organic mulching or top-dressing with compost or leaf mold in spring Avoid heavy fertilizer applications; light feeding with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer in spring is sufficient
Additional Care Tips	N/A
Pollination	Ferns reproduce by spores, not flowers; no pollination required Spores appear in sori (clusters) on the underside of fertile fronds during summer
Companion Plants	Works beautifully with other shade perennials such as Hosta, Heuchera, Tiarella, Brunnera, and Pulmonaria Combines well with Astilbe, Primula, and Dicentra for soft, layered plantings Other ferns such as Dryopteris and Osmunda provide textural contrast Complements dark-foliaged shrubs or Hydrangeas for striking foliage pairings