Godzilla Japanese Painted Fern

If you are looking for a substantial plant for shade that isn’t a hosta or heuchera, this is your plant! This phenomenal painted fern is huge, hence the name Godzilla! The Godzilla Japanese Painted Fern is a gorgeous plant with exciting foliage. The fronds are a gray-green with silvery hints. The leaf ribs are an exciting maroon color. This herbaceous perennial has a lovely arching habit. It can reach 6 feet wide and 3 feet tall at maturity.

The Godzilla Japanese Painted Fern is easy to grow. It is rabbit, deer, heavy shade, and wet soil tolerant. Plant this perennial in shade gardens and under trees.

Key Features

• Great color. The super cool foliage has hints of green, blue, gray, purple, and silver.
• Low maintenance. This plant doesn’t require much care. It does enjoy moist soil so water it when conditions are dry.
• Huge perennial. As perennials go this is a big plant so you get more bang for your buck. Would you rather plant 1 big, beautiful plant or half a dozen small ones?
• Shade tolerant. This plant doesn’t just tolerate shade, it loves it. The Godzilla Japanese Painted fern can even grow in full shade!
• High deer and rabbit resistance. Rutgers University gives this plant an “A” rating for its extreme deer resistance.

Pro Tip: The only downside to this plant is that it isn't very drought tolerant. It likes moist soil. So keep the soil moist to keep it at its best. Luckily shady sites tend to maintain moisture better than sunny ones.

Plant the Godzilla Japanese Painted Fern in shady conditions and moist soil for best results.

Water newly planted painted ferns deeply about twice per week for the first 2 to 3 months while they are establishing. Mulching these plants is a great way to keep the soil moist. Water once weekly during periods of drought to keep this plant happy.

Feed this plant in spring with a slow-release fertilizer. The Godzilla fern likes rich soil so compost can be mixed into the soil with great results.

Dead or dying fronds can be pruned back to the ground. We recommend doing this in spring when young fronds are about 6 inches.

This spreading plant can be divided in spring if desired.

Plant the Godzilla Japanese Painted Fern in shady spots in your landscape.

Pair this plant with hostas and coral bells for an amazing and colorful shade garden!

If you have a shady hillside or slope in your landscape this plant is a perfect choice. It is ideal for controlling erosion.

This painted fern loves moist soil so it is perfect for planting near ponds or water features.

We love this plant in containers on a porch or shady deck or patio.

You May Also Like:

• Brilliance Autumn Fern
• Heuchera/Cora Bells (see all)
• Hostas (see all)
• Full Shade Garden: How to Grow a Gorgeous One (blog post)