A new lady fern cultivar, noteworthy for its dark purple coloration on mature fronds. Each frond initially emerges lime green, then gradually begins to darken along the stipe and rachis, until the entire frond and all the pinnae flush to a deep purple, almost blackish color. This effect is quite striking during the early- to mid- part of the season when the fern is still actively putting up new growth and simultaneously hardening off maturing fronds, as it creates a high contrast between the bright green of younger fronds against a backdrop of more mature dark purple growth.

While several lady ferns in the Athyrium and Anisocampium groups also have reddish to purple coloration along the stems and veins, or even streaks on the fronds (such as A. otophorum, A. filix-femina ‘Lady in Red’, and the many cultivars of A. nipponiucm, or Japanese painted ferns), ‘Aubergine Lady’ is the first cultivar we have seen that flushes the entire frond a a dark purple color. Many ferns produce a reddish tint while their fronds are first emerging, a chemical reaction that acts as a sunscreen to protect tender growth from UV light, but then typically harden off to darker shades of green. It is particularly curious that this fern chooses to do the opposite, darkening it’s pigmentation as the fronds mature!

Cultivation information:

Frond Condition: Deciduous

Mature Size: 2’ (18”’ long fronds with an upright, slightly arching habit)

Origin: TBD

Cultural requirements: Full Shade, Part Shade or Filtered Light, Slightly Moist to Evenly Moist

New item extended description coming soon!