Athyrium otophorom (Eared lady fern) has red/burgundy colouration along stems and fronds. The colour is held through the season and it is an extremely attractive fern, with grey-green fronds. It is supposedly hardy to zone 5.

Some ferns offer red new growth: Dryopteris erythrosora (Autumn fern) and Woodwardia unigemmata, though the latter is not hardy in your zone (didn't even make it in mine :-)). The Autumn fern is usually readily available, and is evergreen (not ever-red!).

Try a cultivar of our native lady fern, "Lady in Red". This is even available in local nurseries if you don't want to mail order. Call your local Pike's.

Here is a link that might be useful: Lady in Red

This is AMAZING! I was just going to post the same question! I too wanted red fern for my beloved little toy spaniel, Mary Agnes's resting place, a la the movie! I cry every time I think of "Old Dan and Little Ann"!!!!

Hi All,

Thanks for the ideas! More are welcome! He hasn't bought a fern yet since not much is available until spring.

Whippet_lovers: I'm so sorry about the loss of your spaniel, my condolences.

Thanks again,
Danita

My fifth grade teacher read us that book and the whole class cried. The boys tried to hide it though. At our twentieth reunion many of us still remembered.

What a great idea for planting over a beloved dog's grave. I never thought of it.