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Dryopteris erythrosora ‘Brilliance’ (Autumn Fern)

Autumn Fern 'Brilliance', Japanese Red Shield Fern 'Brilliance', Copper Shield Fern 'Brilliance'

AGM Award
Dryopteris erythrosora 'Brilliance', Autumn Fern 'Brilliance', Japanese Red Shield Fern 'Brilliance', Copper Shield Fern 'Brilliance', Shade plants, shade perennial, plants for shade, plants for wet soils

Dryopteris erythrosora ‘Brilliance’ (Autumn Fern) is an evergreen fern with strikingly orange-red new fronds in spring, which contrast beautifully with the shiny, dark green, mature fronds. Fading to lustrous summer green as the season progresses, the bipinnate, triangular blades draw attention again in fall with their bright red ripe spores (sori) on their undersides. Prized for its adaptability and brilliance, Autumn Fern thrives on neglect and is pest and disease free. A great asset for shady, difficult corners of the garden.

  • Clump-forming, it easily grows up to 2 ft. tall and wide (60 cm) and will reliably reappear year after year.
  • Recipient of the prestigious Award of Garden Merit of the Royal Horticultural Society for its outstanding qualities
  • A part shade to full shade lover, it is best grown in consistently moist soils. Will grow in full sun if given plenty of moisture. Tolerant of dry shade but water regularly in their first season and mulch well.
  • This plant is a great choice for shady beds, borders, underplanting of roses and shrubs, cottage gardens, or woodlands .
  • Deer and rabbit resistant, clay soil tolerant!
  • Remove faded fronds regularly and divide plants when crowded.
  • Propagate by sowing spores as soon as ripe or by division in spring
  • Native to Japan, Korea, China and the Philippines

Requirements

Hardiness 5 - 9
Heat Zones 5 - 9
Climate Zones 2, 2A, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Plant Type Ferns
Plant Family Dryopteridaceae
Genus Dryopteris
Common names Fern, Autumn Fern
Exposure Partial Sun, Shade
Season of Interest Spring (Early, Mid, Late)
Summer (Early, Mid, Late)
Fall
Winter
Height 1' - 2'
(30cm - 60cm)
Spread 1' - 2'
(30cm - 60cm)
Spacing 24" (60cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Average
Soil Type Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained, Poorly Drained, Well-Drained
Characteristics Plant of Merit, Showy, Evergreen
Tolerance Full Shade, Deer, Rabbit, Clay Soil
Garden Uses Beds And Borders, Underplanting Roses And Shrubs
Garden Styles Prairie and Meadow, Informal and Cottage
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Alternative Plants to Consider

Dryopteris wallichiana Jurassic Gold (Alpine Wood Fern)
Dryopteris arguta (Coastal Wood Fern)
Thelypteris noveboracensis (New York Fern)
Dryopteris marginalis (Marginal Wood Fern)
Dryopteris cristata (Crested Wood Fern)
Dryopteris intermedia (Intermediate Wood Fern)

Recommended Companion Plants

Hakonechloa macra (Hakone Grass)
Astilbe
While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.
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Requirements

Hardiness 5 - 9
Heat Zones 5 - 9
Climate Zones 2, 2A, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Plant Type Ferns
Plant Family Dryopteridaceae
Genus Dryopteris
Common names Fern, Autumn Fern
Exposure Partial Sun, Shade
Season of Interest Spring (Early, Mid, Late)
Summer (Early, Mid, Late)
Fall
Winter
Height 1' - 2'
(30cm - 60cm)
Spread 1' - 2'
(30cm - 60cm)
Spacing 24" (60cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Average
Soil Type Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained, Poorly Drained, Well-Drained
Characteristics Plant of Merit, Showy, Evergreen
Tolerance Full Shade, Deer, Rabbit, Clay Soil
Garden Uses Beds And Borders, Underplanting Roses And Shrubs
Garden Styles Prairie and Meadow, Informal and Cottage
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Do I Need?
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