In my experience the Japanese painted fern doesnt grow that fast. So it might be better to find a local nursery or online source that sells this fern and get a bigger specimen. They are pretty ferns, easy to grow, make sure they get plenty of moisture. Good luck,

Jen

Japanese painted fern is possible to grow up from a piece of roots. It is no problem to divide with a sharp knife. In moist acidic soil with good drainage it grows up very fast.

regards
Athyriana

Japanese Painted Ferns are reproducing like crazy in my garden. I must have accidently hit upon just the right environment for both the mother plants & the babies. They take a long time to develop though. This will be my first babies' 3rd season & they should be about 6" tall based on last season's growth. I've got about 3 dozen new plants that I've just been leaving to grow up a bit before transplanting since they're doing so well on their own.

When we planted the originals Japanese Painted Ferns we took extra care. First, dug a trench 18" deep & removed all of the existing soil to a wheelbarrel. Then, mixed the native soil with 25% leaf mould & 25% composted manure. We then returned this mixture back to the trench & planted. The ferns received 90% full shade (sun between 11:00-1:00. We also mulch them 4-5" deep in May with composted maple leaves. They are absolutely thriving.

The babies turned up about 10' away in a compacted area near the hose outlet. This area receives more direct sun but stays continually moist. I do nothing...no mulch, no added soil amendments, etc. Mother Nature is growing these babies just fine on her own. I think this may be the spring to transplant them. They can't stay where they are forever...they interfer with using the hose!

Anyway, if you're patient you can share babies from your ferns with your friend.

Now, ask me about my maidenhair fern...what a complete failure to thrive. It survives but doesn't grow...no larger now than when I planted it 4 years ago from a 4" pot! Oh well....

Tricia