'Crested Surf' Japanese Painted Fern (Athyrium)
Perennial
- This fern sports a little extra flourish of unusual crests at the tips of each frond.
- Provides a cool "under sea" look in shade gardens.
- Colorful, durable, & deer-resistant.
- A plant collector's dream from Proven Winners!
- Zones 3-8, shade/part sun, 22" tall x 30" wide at maturity.
ZONE
EXPOSURE
HEIGHT
Description
Details
Patent #: PP33,057
Common name: Crested Japanese painted fern
Zone: 3 - 8
Sun exposure: Shade (<4 hours sun), Part-sun (4-6 hours sun)
Height x width: 20-22" X 28-30"
Foliage color: Sage green, silver, and purple
Season of Interest: Summer
Bloom time: N/A
Features: Rare & unusual, rain gardens, rabbit & deer resistant, Proven Winners, heat tolerant, cold tolerant
Uses: Shade gardens, woodland gardens, fern collections
How to Grow
Light: Part shade to full shade - Best silvery frond color occurs in light shade. Too much sun often results in a bleaching of the attractive frond colors.
Water: Tolerates more soil dryness than some other ferns in this genus, but soil must not be allowed to dry out.
Spacing: 1.5 - 2 ft apart
Fertilizing: None required.
Winterizing: Nothing special required.
Maintenance & pruning: The previous season's leaves should be trimmed to the ground in early spring. Do this before new growth begins, or the process will be tricky to do well.
Plant spacing is based on the ultimate width of the plants. This figure is normally given as a range; for example, 3-5’. If you live in a cold climate and/or want plants to fill in more quickly, plan to space at the shorter end of the range. If you live in a warm climate, are on a limited budget, or are willing to wait longer for plants to touch, use the higher end of the range. Using the larger number is recommended when calculating distance from a building or structure. There’s really no such thing as "maximum spacing": if you don’t want your plants to touch, you can space them as far apart as you’d like. All plant spacing is calculated on center, or in other words, the centers of the plants are spaced one half of their eventual width apart:
Unless you are planting in a straight line, as you might for hedges or edging, space your plants in a staggered or zig-zag pattern for a more interesting and naturalistic look:
Not sure just how many plants will fit in your garden? Our calculator gives you the exact amount of plants required for your space. Simply update the values and the calculator will re-calculate accordingly. Spacing information can be found in the 'How to Grow' tab on each plant's page.
The plants we received are The worst plants we have ever received from Great Garden Plants. I am hoping the survive but I’m nothing my breath.
We’re sorry you’re not satisfied with your plants! Our team of horticulture experts would love to take a closer look! Our fall guarantee covers plants received after September 1 until May 2026, so we have you covered. Please send your order number and pictures of your plants to [email protected] to start the claims process if necessary. We look forward to helping! https://bit.ly/ggp-guarantee
This plant lost much of the soil and was wilted when it was delivered. I watered and nursed it as best I could but now it’s dead. What feedback can you provide?
Hello! We’re sorry that you received plants that are not up to our standards. We try our best to provide excellent plants, but some factors, like shipping and handling, are outside our control. That’s why we have a 60-day guarantee on all of our orders. Please email your order number and pictures of your plants to [email protected] to start the claims process. We look forward to helping! https://bit.ly/ggp-guarantee
When my plants arrived they had been really shaken and several of the fronds were broken, the soil was dry and loose. I watered them immediately, waited over 24 hours before planting but they are really struggling…not happy!!!
Hello! We’re sorry that you received plants that are not up to our standards. We try our best to provide excellent plants, but some factors, like shipping and handling, are outside our control. That’s why we have a 60-day guarantee on all of our orders. Please email your order number and pictures of your plants to [email protected] to start the claims process. We look forward to helping! https://bit.ly/ggp-guarantee
My fern didn’t make it. I reached out to customer service to resolve and never heard back. Shipped 7/30 I planted the right away watered them daily and they still didn’t survive ☹️
We're sorry you're having trouble with your plants. Our team of horticulture experts would love to take a closer look! Please contact us at [email protected] with your order number and photos of the plants so we can better assist you. All orders are covered by our 60-day guarantee. We look forward to helping! https://bit.ly/ggp-guarantee
I ordered 2 of these Japanese ferns and 1 was less than a third of the size of the other. When I received the package it was upside down, and dirt was absolutely everywhere, so my plants were in pretty stressed condition. Unfortunately, I don't think the small one is going to make it as much as I have been trying to bring it to a healthy state. Pretty disappointed that the plants seem to be hit or miss... Out of an order of 22 total, I've already lost 4 for certain.
Hello! Thank you for your feedback. We’re sorry that you received plants that are not up to our standards. We try our best to provide excellent plants, but some factors, like shipping and handling, are outside our control. That’s why we have a 60-day guarantee on all of our orders. Please email your order number and pictures of your plants to [email protected] to start the claims process. We look forward to helping! https://bit.ly/ggp-guarantee
Never disappoints
Plants were very small and in ok shape. Can’t really say it was from shipping stress due to the packaging seemed sufficient. Main box was damaged and partially opened. Plants did arrive quickly after shipping notification. I work in the commercial veggie and herb industry and ship to all 3 big box stores and I personally feel they were all too young to ship them and not well rooted in. All plants were loose inside there containers and wrapping. First time buyer and probably will not be buying again from this online retailer. We see how they respond.
We’re sorry you’re not satisfied with your plants! On each product page and our plant sizes page, we note that all of our plants are young. The size of our plants varies depending on the time of year and whether they were recently trimmed. The most important thing when purchasing plants, online or in garden centers, is a full and robust root system, which we prioritize. Trimming only encourages stronger root development! All orders are covered by our 60-day guarantee, so please reach out to us to start the claims process if necessary.
very small was so disappointed
We’re sorry you’re not satisfied with your plants! On each product page and our plant sizes page, we note that all of our plants are young. The size of our plants varies depending on the time of year and whether they were recently trimmed. The most important thing when purchasing plants, online or in garden centers, is a full and robust root system, which we prioritize. Trimming only encourages stronger root development! All orders are covered by our 60-day guarantee, so please reach out to us to start the claims process if necessary.
very dehydrated 2 did not survice; will seek replacemnets; all struggling
Hello! We’re sorry that you received plants that are not up to our standards. We try our best to provide excellent plants, but some factors, like shipping and handling, are outside our control. That’s why we have a 60-day guarantee on all of our orders. Please email your order number and pictures of your plants to [email protected] to start the claims process. We look forward to helping! https://bit.ly/ggp-guarantee
Came in great shape. Thank you.
I have two of these but needed a third. I looked locally but could not find it. I was so happy when I found it from your company. I was so impressed with the plant itself but delivery was flawless. Received it quickly and it is perfect. Will definitely buy from this company again.
Plants were full and healthy. They were a little dry after shipping — to be expected — but i watered them and left them inside for a day and they look better than expected.
'Crested Surf' Japanese Painted Fern (Athyrium)
Shipment arrived as scheduled but ferns were not packed carefully. Kinda smashed up. Not slowly and carefully wrapped. They are alive and now settled but many broken limbs...
Hello! We’re sorry that you received plants that are not up to our standards. We try our best to provide excellent plants, but some factors, like shipping and handling, are outside our control. That’s why we have a 60-day guarantee on all of our orders. Please email your order number and pictures of your plants to [email protected] to start the claims process. We look forward to helping! https://bit.ly/ggp-guarantee
'Crested Surf' Japanese Painted Fern (Athyrium)
Love the commitment to quality and the integrity to back it up by replcing a plant that did not survive. 5 stars!!
Excellent large beautiful and healthy plant.
Really attractive fast shipping very healthy and the package 📦 outstanding thank you can't wait for buy more..
My first time to order from Great Garden and perfectly satisfied. The plants arrived in good condition and are now thriving in my garden. I will order again.
Very nice specimen. Well packaged. It is presently still becoming acclimated to its new surroundings, but appears to be doing well.
My general "thoughts" are that I am extremely pleased with each and every one of the plants I've purchased from Great Garden Plants. Healthy. Arrive in perfect condition. Very satisfied customer. Thank you.
Love this fern, came in great condition and is thriving
The fern is lovely and growing nicrly
Wonderful Product!
1 out of 3 made it.
Hello! We’re sorry that you received plants that are not up to our standards. We try our best to provide excellent plants, but some factors, like shipping and handling, are outside our control. That’s why we have a 60-day guarantee on all of our orders. Please email your order number and pictures of your plants to our customer service team to start the claims process. We look forward to helping!