'Frizelliae' reversion

[JohnH]

I rather like the narrow fronds of Athyrium filix-femina 'Frizelliae' and the way they contrast with other woodland plants, but why has my plant decided to revert to the rather ordinary (boring!) felix-femina?
Is there anyway of reversing the reversion, or is it a lost cause and I need to dig it up and start again?

[Chad]

My guess is that you have a 'normal' sporeling that has established in, and is now taking over from, the 'Frizelliae'.

Have a careful look inside the plant, and remove any crown that has 'normal' leaves.

If that leaves any of the original plant, then it should recover. If the original has already died out completely, then you need a new plant.

The price of peace is, however, eternal vigilance. It will need constant supervision to keep the normal form out.

Chad

[MartinNicklin]

Same happened with mine and it was exactly as Chad suggested. There was an ordinary fern sporeling in the same pot which took over.

[JohnH]

Thank you both.
It is a bit of a strange case, it went in last spring (2023) as a large established 5ltr plant (not cheap!) and looked good. This year, when the new fronds emerged, it looked OK but within a couple of months it had completely changed character and now there are only a handful of the thin 'Frizelliae' fronds left.
I will dig it up over the weekend and see if I can retrieve any of the original plant.
Maybe it picked up a rogue sporeling from the nursery before I bought it, but the takeover from a standing start was very impressive.

[Maya]

I agree with Chad regarding digging out/trying to find an ordinary sporeling which has taken over.
I have several Athyrium filix-femina 'Frizelliae' in the garden and they have never shown any signs of reverting back to an ordinary form.

[Chad]

Ah, I might have gotten this wrong.

I was talking this afternoon with someone who has actually grown this and knows a lot more than me.

I was told that 'old' and/or plants grown 'soft' sometimes revert.

Division and not fertilising may correct that. If in division you only keep the 'Frizelliae' bits it gives you a head start.

Looking it up on getting home, I find that Bally Roberts Gardens warn of the instability.

Chad

[JohnH]

Thanks, Chad. I will try to take a pic of the clump when it comes out. If it is beyond redemption I have a feeling I may start again with a much smaller 9cm plant.

And, thanks for reminding me of Bally Robert Gardens and Nursery. I bought from them years ago, it was unbelievable how quickly they could deliver plants, and they even threw in free toffees.
Paul Parkinson's very honest and often hilarious descriptions were aways a good read. I presume they can still deliver here after brexit, it seems impossible to send anything the other way.