David Austin Rose vs Japanese Painted Fern

Side-by-side plant comparison — which is right for your garden?

David Austin Rose

Rosa 'Graham Thomas'

Rosaceae · flowers

Medium Maintenance

Japanese Painted Fern

Athyrium niponicum

Athyriaceae · ferns

Deer ResistantLow Maintenance

Hardiness Zone Range

David Austin Rose (Zones 5-10)

Japanese Painted Fern (Zones 4-8)

Overlap: Both grow in zones 5–8

Detailed Comparison

Feature	David Austin Rose	Japanese Painted Fern
Scientific Name	Rosa 'Graham Thomas'	Athyrium niponicum
Family	Rosaceae	Athyriaceae
Category	flowers	ferns
Sun	☀️ Full Sun	⛅ Part Shade to Full Shade
Water	💧💧 Medium	💧💧 Medium
Soil	Rich, Well-drained	Rich, Moist
Height	5'	1' 6"
Spread	4'	2'
Bloom Season	Spring-Fall	Non-flowering
Bloom Color	Yellow	None
Growth Rate	Medium	Medium
Native Region	Hybrid (England)	Japan, East Asia
Maintenance	Medium	Low

Special Traits

David Austin Rose

No — EdibleNo — Deer ResistantNo — Drought Tolerant

Japanese Painted Fern

No — EdibleYes — Deer ResistantNo — Drought Tolerant

Care Tips

David Austin Rose

✓Prune to shape in late winter.
✓Benefits from regular feeding.
✓Provide good air circulation.
✓Can be trained as a short climber on pillar or wall.

Japanese Painted Fern

✓Provide consistent moisture but not soggy soil.
✓Pairs beautifully with hostas and astilbes.
✓Cut back dead fronds in spring.
✓Slowly spreads to form elegant colonies.

Which Plant Is Right for Your Garden?

Choose David Austin Rose if you don't mind medium maintenance. It thrives in full sun with medium water in zones 5–10.

Choose Japanese Painted Fern if you want a low-maintenance plant, and want deer resistance. It thrives in part shade to full shade with medium water in zones 4–8.

Plant them together? Both overlap in zones 5–8. However, they have different sun needs, so plan your garden layout carefully.

View David Austin RoseProfile →View Japanese Painted FernProfile →

Frequently Asked Questions

Can David Austin Rose and Japanese Painted Fern grow in the same hardiness zone?

David Austin Rose grows in USDA zones 5-10, while Japanese Painted Fern grows in zones 4-8. Both plants can grow together in zones 5 through 8.

Do David Austin Rose and Japanese Painted Fern have the same sun and water needs?

David Austin Rose needs full sun and medium water, while Japanese Painted Fern needs part shade to full shade and medium water. Their differing requirements mean you may need separate garden areas for each.

Which grows taller, David Austin Rose or Japanese Painted Fern?

David Austin Rose grows taller at 5' compared to Japanese Painted Fern at 1' 6". David Austin Rose spreads 4' while Japanese Painted Fern spreads 2'.

Are David Austin Rose and Japanese Painted Fern deer resistant?

Japanese Painted Fern is deer resistant, but David Austin Rose is not. If deer are a concern, Japanese Painted Fern is the better choice, or protect David Austin Rose with fencing.

Which is easier to maintain, David Austin Rose or Japanese Painted Fern?

David Austin Rose has medium maintenance while Japanese Painted Fern has low maintenance. Japanese Painted Fern may be easier for beginning gardeners to manage.

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Detailed Comparison

Feature	David Austin Rose	Japanese Painted Fern
Scientific Name	Rosa 'Graham Thomas'	Athyrium niponicum
Family	Rosaceae	Athyriaceae
Category	flowers	ferns
Sun	☀️ Full Sun	⛅ Part Shade to Full Shade
Water	💧💧 Medium	💧💧 Medium
Soil	Rich, Well-drained	Rich, Moist
Height	5'	1' 6"
Spread	4'	2'
Bloom Season	Spring-Fall	Non-flowering
Bloom Color	Yellow	None
Growth Rate	Medium	Medium
Native Region	Hybrid (England)	Japan, East Asia
Maintenance	Medium	Low

Care Tips

David Austin Rose

✓Prune to shape in late winter.
✓Benefits from regular feeding.
✓Provide good air circulation.
✓Can be trained as a short climber on pillar or wall.

Japanese Painted Fern

✓Provide consistent moisture but not soggy soil.
✓Pairs beautifully with hostas and astilbes.
✓Cut back dead fronds in spring.
✓Slowly spreads to form elegant colonies.