Delphinium vs Japanese Painted Fern

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

Delphinium

Delphinium elatum

Ranunculaceae · flowers

Deer ResistantHigh Maintenance

Japanese Painted Fern

Athyrium niponicum

Athyriaceae · ferns

Deer ResistantLow Maintenance

Hardiness Zone Range

Delphinium (Zones 3-7)

Japanese Painted Fern (Zones 4-8)

Overlap: Both grow in zones 4–7

Detailed Comparison

Feature	Delphinium	Japanese Painted Fern
Scientific Name	Delphinium elatum	Athyrium niponicum
Family	Ranunculaceae	Athyriaceae
Category	flowers	ferns
Sun	☀️ Full Sun	⛅ Part Shade to Full Shade
Water	💧💧 Medium	💧💧 Medium
Soil	Rich, Well-drained	Rich, Moist
Height	6'	1' 6"
Spread	2'	2'
Bloom Season	Early Summer	Non-flowering
Bloom Color	Blue, Purple, White, Pink	None
Growth Rate	Fast	Medium
Native Region	Europe, Asia	Japan, East Asia
Maintenance	High	Low

Special Traits

Delphinium

No — EdibleYes — Deer ResistantNo — Drought Tolerant

Japanese Painted Fern

No — EdibleYes — Deer ResistantNo — Drought Tolerant

Care Tips

Delphinium

✓Stake tall varieties.
✓Cut back after first bloom for possible rebloom.
✓Needs cool summers — struggles in heat.
✓Slugs love young growth.
✓All parts are toxic.

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 Delphinium if you don't mind high maintenance, and want deer resistance. It thrives in full sun with medium water in zones 3–7.

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 4–7. However, they have different sun needs, so plan your garden layout carefully.

View DelphiniumProfile →View Japanese Painted FernProfile →

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Delphinium and Japanese Painted Fern grow in the same hardiness zone?

Delphinium grows in USDA zones 3-7, while Japanese Painted Fern grows in zones 4-8. Both plants can grow together in zones 4 through 7.

Do Delphinium and Japanese Painted Fern have the same sun and water needs?

Delphinium 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, Delphinium or Japanese Painted Fern?

Delphinium grows taller at 6' compared to Japanese Painted Fern at 1' 6". Delphinium spreads 2' while Japanese Painted Fern spreads 2'.

Are Delphinium and Japanese Painted Fern deer resistant?

Yes, both Delphinium and Japanese Painted Fern are considered deer resistant, making them excellent choices for gardens in areas with deer pressure.

Which is easier to maintain, Delphinium or Japanese Painted Fern?

Delphinium has high maintenance while Japanese Painted Fern has low maintenance. Japanese Painted Fern may be easier for beginning gardeners to manage.

Explore More Data Tools

For adjacent public-data tools, methodology notes, and network updates, visit DataPeek Facts.

Detailed Comparison

Feature	Delphinium	Japanese Painted Fern
Scientific Name	Delphinium elatum	Athyrium niponicum
Family	Ranunculaceae	Athyriaceae
Category	flowers	ferns
Sun	☀️ Full Sun	⛅ Part Shade to Full Shade
Water	💧💧 Medium	💧💧 Medium
Soil	Rich, Well-drained	Rich, Moist
Height	6'	1' 6"
Spread	2'	2'
Bloom Season	Early Summer	Non-flowering
Bloom Color	Blue, Purple, White, Pink	None
Growth Rate	Fast	Medium
Native Region	Europe, Asia	Japan, East Asia
Maintenance	High	Low

Care Tips

Delphinium

✓Stake tall varieties.
✓Cut back after first bloom for possible rebloom.
✓Needs cool summers — struggles in heat.
✓Slugs love young growth.
✓All parts are toxic.

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 Delphinium if you don't mind high maintenance, and want deer resistance. It thrives in full sun with medium water in zones 3–7.

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 4–7. However, they have different sun needs, so plan your garden layout carefully.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Delphinium and Japanese Painted Fern grow in the same hardiness zone?

Delphinium grows in USDA zones 3-7, while Japanese Painted Fern grows in zones 4-8. Both plants can grow together in zones 4 through 7.

Do Delphinium and Japanese Painted Fern have the same sun and water needs?

Delphinium 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, Delphinium or Japanese Painted Fern?

Delphinium grows taller at 6' compared to Japanese Painted Fern at 1' 6". Delphinium spreads 2' while Japanese Painted Fern spreads 2'.

Are Delphinium and Japanese Painted Fern deer resistant?

Yes, both Delphinium and Japanese Painted Fern are considered deer resistant, making them excellent choices for gardens in areas with deer pressure.

Which is easier to maintain, Delphinium or Japanese Painted Fern?

Delphinium has high maintenance while Japanese Painted Fern has low maintenance. Japanese Painted Fern may be easier for beginning gardeners to manage.