The Japanese painted fern (also known as Tatting Fern, Lady Fern & Southern Lady Fern) is very showy, with soft grayish-green and silvery dark maroon foliage. It is a low maintenance and deciduous fern. In 2004 in gained recognition as the perennial prennial plant of the year.  The Japanese painted fern is one of the showiest ferns for any shaded garden.

Japanese painted ferns are hardy nearly everywhere in the United States, except for the desert areas and northern areas as low as zone three. The Japanese painted fern grows up to two feet high and two feet in diameter. This fern prefers full to partial shade, and is one of the most attractive plants that can be grown in a shady part of the garden.  This painted fern is perfect as a border plant, and works well when planted near streams or ponds. It can also be used as a wonderful accent plant, as most other shade loving plants are unable to attain the bright vivid colors of the Japanese painted fern.

Like most ferns, the Japanese Painted Fern, requires well-drained, compost rich soil and flourished in moisture in both soil and air. Some morning or late afternoon sunlight will bring out the most vivid colors in a Japanese painted fern.  The soil condition can be neutral, acidic or slightly alkaline pH. 

Regarding pests, slugs and snails may chew on the fronds.  Aphids ad grubs may also cause problems.

The Japanese painted fern is susceptible to Gray mold.

Good companions to the Japanese painted fern are Astilbe, Heartleaf Brunnera, Columbine, Coral Bells, Ginger, Hosta, Lenten Rose, Ligularia, Lilyturf, Northern Sea Oats Grass, Black Snakeroot, Sweet Woodruff.

Japanese painted ferns propagate most easily by division of the clump into several smaller plants.  It is considered a low maintenance plant requiring only removal of the  dead foliage in early winter or early spring.  New growth will come up from ground each year.
 
There are numerous varieties of genus Athyrium as I have listed below:
Branford Beauty Fern -  A stunning addition to the Athyrium genus, 'Branford Beauty' is an interspecific hybrid of the Japanese Painted Fern (A. niponicum 'Pictum') and the red stemmed Lady Fern (A. filix-femina). This hybrid sports silvery gray fronds held upright by reddish stems. It forms an attractive clump and is great for massing in woodland areas or used as a specimen plant.
Lady Fern, Tatting Fern, Southern Lady Fern
Native to North America, this deciduous fern is common to moist sites throughout the northern hemisphere. It is characterized by lush, finely textured, medium green fronds with an arching habit. They radiate gracefully out from the center of the crown. New leaves are produced throughout the season for a continually fresh look. At maturity, the stems turn dark red.

Lady Fern, Tatting Fern, Southern Lady Fern

Native to North America, this deciduous fern is common to moist sites throughout the northern hemisphere. It is characterized by lush, finely textured, medium green fronds with an arching habit. They radiate gracefully out from the center of the crown. New leaves are produced throughout the season for a continually fresh look. At maturity, the stems turn dark red.

Eared Lady Fernn

Okanum' has been described as being similar to the Japanese Painted Fern but with more subtle coloring. The sturdy, arching, triangular fronds are silvery green with dark red stems. As the season progresses, the fronds deepen to solid green. Some sun will help to draw out this coloring.  This is a well-behaved, clumping fern that is right at home in woodland gardens combined with blue and gold hostas. It has received the Award of Garden Merit from the Royal Horticultural Society, a very high honor.