Japanese Painted Fern vs Red Maple

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

Japanese Painted Fern

Athyrium niponicum

Athyriaceae · ferns

Deer ResistantLow Maintenance

Red Maple

Acer rubrum

Aceraceae · trees

Deer ResistantLow Maintenance

Hardiness Zone Range

Japanese Painted Fern (Zones 4-8)

Red Maple (Zones 3-9)

Overlap: Both grow in zones 4–8

Detailed Comparison

Feature	Japanese Painted Fern	Red Maple
Scientific Name	Athyrium niponicum	Acer rubrum
Family	Athyriaceae	Aceraceae
Category	ferns	trees
Sun	⛅ Part Shade to Full Shade	☀️ Full Sun to Part Shade
Water	💧💧 Medium	💧💧 Medium
Soil	Rich, Moist	Adaptable
Height	1' 6"	70'
Spread	2'	40'
Bloom Season	Non-flowering	Spring
Bloom Color	None	Red
Growth Rate	Medium	Fast
Native Region	Japan, East Asia	Eastern North America
Maintenance	Low	Low

Special Traits

Japanese Painted Fern

No — EdibleYes — Deer ResistantNo — Drought Tolerant

Red Maple

No — EdibleYes — Deer ResistantNo — Drought Tolerant

Care Tips

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.

Red Maple

✓Tolerates a wide range of soils.
✓Surface roots can be problematic in lawns.
✓Prune in summer to avoid bleeding sap.
✓Fast growing — 13-24 inches per year.

Which Plant Is Right for Your Garden?

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.

Choose Red Maple if you want a low-maintenance plant, and want deer resistance. It thrives in full sun to part shade with medium water in zones 3–9.

Plant them together? Both overlap in zones 4–8. However, they have different sun needs, so plan your garden layout carefully.

View Japanese Painted FernProfile →View Red MapleProfile →

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Japanese Painted Fern grows in USDA zones 4-8, while Red Maple grows in zones 3-9. Both plants can grow together in zones 4 through 8.

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

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

Which grows taller, Japanese Painted Fern or Red Maple?

Red Maple grows taller at 70' compared to Japanese Painted Fern at 1' 6". Red Maple spreads 40' while Japanese Painted Fern spreads 2'.

Are Japanese Painted Fern and Red Maple deer resistant?

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

Which is easier to maintain, Japanese Painted Fern or Red Maple?

Both Japanese Painted Fern and Red Maple have low maintenance requirements. They need a similar level of care including regular attention to watering, pruning, and soil health.

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Detailed Comparison

Feature	Japanese Painted Fern	Red Maple
Scientific Name	Athyrium niponicum	Acer rubrum
Family	Athyriaceae	Aceraceae
Category	ferns	trees
Sun	⛅ Part Shade to Full Shade	☀️ Full Sun to Part Shade
Water	💧💧 Medium	💧💧 Medium
Soil	Rich, Moist	Adaptable
Height	1' 6"	70'
Spread	2'	40'
Bloom Season	Non-flowering	Spring
Bloom Color	None	Red
Growth Rate	Medium	Fast
Native Region	Japan, East Asia	Eastern North America
Maintenance	Low	Low

Care Tips

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.

Red Maple

✓Tolerates a wide range of soils.
✓Surface roots can be problematic in lawns.
✓Prune in summer to avoid bleeding sap.
✓Fast growing — 13-24 inches per year.

Which Plant Is Right for Your Garden?

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.

Choose Red Maple if you want a low-maintenance plant, and want deer resistance. It thrives in full sun to part shade with medium water in zones 3–9.

Plant them together? Both overlap in zones 4–8. However, they have different sun needs, so plan your garden layout carefully.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Japanese Painted Fern grows in USDA zones 4-8, while Red Maple grows in zones 3-9. Both plants can grow together in zones 4 through 8.

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

Which grows taller, Japanese Painted Fern or Red Maple?

Red Maple grows taller at 70' compared to Japanese Painted Fern at 1' 6". Red Maple spreads 40' while Japanese Painted Fern spreads 2'.

Are Japanese Painted Fern and Red Maple deer resistant?

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

Which is easier to maintain, Japanese Painted Fern or Red Maple?

Both Japanese Painted Fern and Red Maple have low maintenance requirements. They need a similar level of care including regular attention to watering, pruning, and soil health.