Common Name: autumn fern
Type: Fern
Family: Dryopteridaceae
Zone: 5 to 8
Height: 1.00 to 2.00 feet
Spread: 1.00 to 2.00 feet
Bloom Time: Non-flowering
Bloom Description: Non-flowering
Sun: Part shade to full shade
Water: Medium
Maintenance: Low
Tolerate: Rabbit, Heavy Shade
Culture
Easily grown in average, slightly acidic, medium to wet soils in part shade to full shade. Prefers consistently moist, humusy soils that are rich in organic matter. Soils must not be allowed to dry out. Site in locations sheltered from strong winds to protect the fronds. Plants slowly spread over time by short creeping rhizomes.
Noteworthy Characteristics
Dryopteris erythrosora , commonly called Japanese shield fern or autumn fern, is an arching, evergreen (semi-evergreen in cold winter climates) fern that grows in a vase-shaped clump to 2' tall and as wide. It is native to woodland hillsides and mountain slopes in Japan, China and Taiwan. New fronds unfurl in striking shades of orange-red to copper-pink before eventually maturing to glossy deep green by summer. Triangular, bi-pinnate fronds grow to as much as 2' long. Young sori are covered by bright red indusia.
Genus name from Greek dryas meaning oak and pteris meaning fern in reference to the presence of some species of wood ferns in woodland areas populated with oaks.
Specific epithet comes from the Greek words erythros meaning red and sora meaning sori in reference to its red sori.
'Brilliance' is noted for its particularly attractive spring frond color which, in comparison to species plants, is brighter red and lasts longer into the spring. Reddish frond color often returns in autumn after first fall frost.
Problems
No serious insect or disease problems.
Uses
Moist woodland or shade gardens. May be massed in woodland areas as a ground cover.