I just purchased two of these and then came here to ”read all about it”! Does anyone have any pictures of a grown-up Godzilla? Mine will be going into full shade with just a bit of morning sunlight, so I’m curious how others have fared in similar conditions. Thanks!

I'm not a huge fan of ferns but I do like the japanese painted fern, and I work in a garden where Godzilla might be awfully nice! It seems like there aren't too many photos of a fully-grown one (after an admittedly quick search). Might also be a bit difficult to find but I think I'm going to think about adding this.

:)

Dee

Thanks, Dee! I couldn’t find any pics of full-grown Godzilla either when I googled. I’m not a huge fan of ferns either, but the Japanese painted ferns are particularly lovely and I’m excited to see these Godzillas grow, which I hope doesn’t take too long!

I have two that were planted last year, I think. Maybe the year before? Last year was a severe drought in our area, so i don't think any plant needing ample moisture grew well. One is a normal fern size this year but one is very small becuase a neighboring Sun King Azalea has spread branches over it so it probably gets too little of both sun and rain. Needs to be moved We've had a wet July, so maybe they'll come back next year with a nice jump in growth. I can't access the linked article because I do not have a subscription.

It is weird how there are multiple vendors for this plant and few pictures.

I meant to add that I have planted the Japanese painted fern in the yard where I work, and honestly thought I lost them because they took YEARS to do anything. I now realize that they are probably poorly sited, being in a very dry shade bed - although they are doing okay, they might have done better with a bit more moisture! But I wonder, not having a lot of experience with ferns, if they are slow-growing in general. I wonder how long it takes Godzilla to become a monster lol? I'm definitely going to look into this more because I'm always on the lookout for plants for this somewhat difficult site.

And yes, Deanna, I had too noticed that the vendors seemed to have the same two pictures lol!

:)

Dee

I have a number of Japanese Painted Ferns and 'Ghost' as well as a few others. I have them sited in shade and part shade. They do very well here. This year, they look great. I find volunteers as well. This one volunteered right in front of my spigot and has gotten bigger every year. It gets no attention. It's facing West and gets afternoon sun for 2-3hrs.

This is a Wood fern that is pretty large right now and it's in my shadiest corner...

This is 'Ghost' also larger this season. I think this is a variety of Japanese Painted Fern?

This Japanese Painted Fern has spread this season and is facing East with a couple of hours of sun in the morning.

I have some prettier photos somewhere of some I have that show a lot of red in the spring, I just can't find them right now.

Beautiful, prairiemoon2!!!! I have always steered clear of ferns because I thought they were all spreaders, based in a previous neighbor’s experience repeatedly trying to rid her front bed of them without success. But I have a very shady area to fill, and the painted ferns are really quite beautiful, so I hope I have some success with these.

Thanks for the info, deanna, I’ll be sure to give my two plenty of water as they become established! I hope they do okay in only an hour or so of morning sun…the rest of the day they’ll be shaded by tall trees.

lovemycorgi - some ferns can spread all too well. I don't have any of those. [g] I specifically looked for clumpers that don't run. I think Autumn Fern is one that really runs. Sensitive Fern - I spent a couple of years digging that out to get rid of it. Japanese Painted, 'Ghost' do stay in clumps. They become larger when the weather is just to their liking. If the winter doesn't suit them, they've come back smaller than the year before. I haven't had to do anything to any of these ferns. I did divide some to increase them. That's it. They get watered when it's too dry.

I could add more and I'm interested in this 'Godzilla' fern. I've wanted a larger fern that would grow in deep shade. I find the Japanese Painted really want more sun than deep shade. I would have liked to add Ostrich Ferns which are about 6ft tall, but I think they can be aggressive so I haven't. If this 'Godzilla' is from a Japanese Painted, then I would feel comfortable to try that, I'll just have to find out how they do in deep shade. OR - I'll have to add them where I have more sun. I'd love a 6ft tall fern!

PM Its my understanding godzilla is 3ft talll by 6ft wide.....So youll need lots of room!

Hmm....well there goes that idea. lol I must have read it too quickly. 6ft wide is a lot and what interested me was a 6ft height. I guess I will wait to see how it grows for other gardeners. thanks for pointing that out GH!

You're welcome...I considered it also until seeing that width lol.

Yes, the width kind of confuses me. I’m waiting to see if it’s the same ”six feet” they use with Empress Wu hosta. I believe they are using a ruler that is 2/3 size! I’m not putting much stock in them getting that wide, but I’ll give them enough to spread to 4’ and see what happens.

Japanese painted fern definitely does not spread, just like PM said. ”They” say that too much sun fades the colors, but, as PM said, some sun is good. Godzilla is a Japanese painted fern for sure. PM, how do you like Ghost? Mine is as young as the others. I do not like its placement any more and will be moving it. Trying to figure out where.

Deanna, I love 'Ghost', it is my favorite. It is so reliably attractive all season. Some years it's been smaller than others, but when the weather is favorable it's great. I've divided mine and added it in a few places and it has done well. I think you will be happy with it.

This Godzilla has been here three to four years years. Long way to go before it hits 6 ft wide, but doing well. More importantly, it's the only Japanese painted Fern I've had that did not go backwards.

Bumping this to report that my Godzilla ferns are still very small - more gecko than Godzilla for sure!!

It’s been three years and I really expected more growth from these. I did have some rabbit damage last year, but was able to get cages around them before they were eaten to the ground completely.

I have them on the north side of my house almost in complete shade, with just a few hours of dappled sun throughout the day. Maybe they need more sunlight. They get plenty of water. My hostas in the same bed are doing great. I’ll snap a pic later today.

Godzilla, with hostas June and Curly Fries, which were also planted three years ago. Tiny!! 🤔

Mislabeled?