Regal Red Painted Fern

‘Regal Red’ is a deciduous Japanese painted fern with finely divided, arching fronds that emerge darkly tinted and mature to silver-gray and green, with a deep red-purple center and midrib. Its contrasting color and gently twisted tips make it useful at the front of a shaded border or in a woodland planting ([RHS cultivar profile](https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/285326/athyrium-niponicum-regal-red/details); [Chicago Botanic Garden trial](https://www.chicagobotanic.org/downloads/planteval_notes/no39_ferns.pdf)). ## Placement and growing conditions Place it in part to full shade, preferably sheltered from drying wind and hot afternoon sun. Keep the soil humus-rich and evenly moist, while allowing excess water to drain; the frond color is best where the plant receives light shade rather than deep darkness. It forms a clump and spreads gradually, so leave room for mature foliage and pair it with broader-leaved shade plants. The RHS gives a broad mature spread range of 0.5–1 m, while nursery listings report smaller dimensions; actual size varies with site and maturity. ## Seasonal character New fronds bring the strongest purple tones in spring. The foliage later shows the cultivar’s silver outer portions against red-purple markings, then dies back seasonally. This fern does not produce showy flowers. ## Maintenance Water during dry spells, especially while establishing, and keep the root zone from drying out. Remove faded or damaged fronds in late winter or before new growth unfurls in spring. Established clumps can be divided in spring if more plants are wanted.