Dryopteris erythrosora 'Brilliance' - Autumn Fern
Dryopteris erythrosora 'Brilliance' - Autumn Fern

Dryopteris erythrosora 'Brilliance' - Autumn Fern

SKU: S29060
1 for $19.95
Quick Facts
Common Name: Japanese Shield Fern, Autumn Fern
Hardiness Zone: 5-9S/W Exposure: Part Shade to Shade
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Mature Height: 2'
Spacing: 18" Read our Growing Guide
Ships as: 1 PINT 28.86 CU IN. Deer Resistance: Yes
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Shipping Details Shipment begins in late March 2024, depending on your zone. See shipping tab for details
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Product Details

Product Details

We thought no one could improve on Dryopteris erythrosora, one of the best-known and best-loved Autumn Ferns—then we saw Dryopteris erythrosora 'Brilliance.' Autumn Ferns show off orange-red, young spring fronds, which have red spores on the undersides. The new growth of 'Brilliance' is a brighter red, and its coloring lasts longer. It's easy to grow and is surprisingly drought tolerant once established in a garden.

Hardy Ferns are the most ornamental of foliage plants, and their near-infinite diversity guarantees that every garden can make good use of them. Ferns require little care and will thrive in many locations that discourage fussier plants. Most prefer slightly acid, woodsy soil and require shade (meaning full protection from summer sun). Regular moisture is also necessary, which mulch helps preserve.

For more information on the growing and care of Ferns, click Growing Guide.

Shipping

Shipping

HOW PLANTS ARE SHIPPED

The size of the plants we ship has been selected to reduce the shock of transplanting. For some, this means a large, bareroot crown. Others cannot travel bareroot or transplant best if grown in containers. We ship these perennials and annuals in 1 pint pots, except as noted. We must point out that many perennials will not bloom the first year after planting, but will the following year, amply rewarding your patience. We ship bulbs as dormant, bare bulbs, sometimes with some wood shavings or moss. Shrubs, Roses, vines, and other woody plants may be shipped bareroot or in pots. The size of the pot is noted in the quick facts for each item.

WHEN WE SHIP

We ship our bulbs and plants at the right time for planting in your area, except as noted, with orders dispatched on a first-come, first-served basis by climate zone. We also ship a wide range of containers and planters, tools, supplies, fertilizers, garden wear, garden decor items, as well as indoor decorations like wreaths and dried bouquets when available. Estimated dates for shipping are indicated in the green Shipping Details box for each item. Please supply a street address for delivery. Kindly contact us with two weeks notice, if you'll be away at the expected time of delivery.

OUR GUARANTEE

We guarantee to ship plants that are in prime condition for growing. If your order is damaged or fails to meet your expectations, we will cheerfully replace or refund it. Please contact our Customer Service Department at 1-800-503-9624 or email us at [email protected]. Please include your order number or customer number when contacting us.

Reviews

Reviews

Average Customer Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars (3 Reviews) Write a Review

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Didn't work for me

I live in zone 5 and we did have a bad winter. Anyhow, the only plants I lost were the Brilliance Ferns (I had 4 - 1 from White Flower farm), Painted Fern (from WFF) and 1 conflower plant (not from WFF). The ferns did fantastic all spring/summer/fall, but none of them came back this spring. I also have the normal tall green ferns and they are all doing great. So, I would not recommend these at least not in my zone.

19 of 21 people found this review helpful. Do you? yes no


Tough but beautiful

This is the toughest fern I've ever seen. It is green now in my January woodland garden. What glorious colors it will have when the spring growth starts. Can't wait to see it again. It even stands up to the dry spells of summer.

29 of 31 people found this review helpful. Do you? yes no


THE "KNOCKOUT" OF THE FERN WORLD!

BRILLANCE FERN is to the fern world, what the KNOCKOUT ROSE is to the rose world. AND GOES A STEP FURTHER SINCE IT IS EVERGREEN! From now on, it will be the only fern I plant. I have transplanted many of my other ferns to empty gardens around me, and replaced them with BRILLANCE FERN in my garden so that I have color from the ferns all year! They are a bit slow to establish if you purchase small plants, but once established have a strong weatherproof presence that is the perfect backdrop to perennials and bulbs year round. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THESE FERNS.

51 of 51 people found this review helpful. Do you? yes no

Growing guide

Growing guide
Print Grow Guide

Indispensable for shady areas, these delicate plants make the hottest summer day seem cooler. Great variety exists in form and size, giving the creative gardener many planting options. Most Ferns are slow growing and can take several years to reach their mature size, which varies greatly between varieties.

Light/Watering: All Ferns thrive in light to heavy shade. A few, such as Lady Ferns (Athyrium filix-femina) will grow in full sun in the North, provided the planting site is damp. Water Ferns regularly if rain is not sufficient, and do not let the soil get completely dry. A 2″ thick mulch of composted leaves or pine needles will help keep roots cool and damp.

Fertilizer/Soil and pH: Ferns prefer soils high in organic matter that are well-drained but do not dry out. Most will tolerate poor soils and a pH of 4 to 7; Maidenhair Fern (Adiantum) prefers a more alkaline soil between pH 7 to 8, but will grow at a lower pH. Apply fertilizer in spring, just after new growth has begun. Ferns are very sensitive to fertilizers; use a slow-release fertilizer when new growth appears in early spring. For initial planting of bareroot plants, lay the mat formers (Adiantum, Athyrium, Dennstaedtia, and Dryopteris) with buds and old fronds facing up in a shallow hole and cover with an inch of soil. Plant bareroot crown-formers (Matteuccia, Osmunda, Phyllitis, and Polystichum) with the growing tips just barely showing through the soil surface. Ferns are notoriously slow to send up new growth after planting, but good things come to those who wait.

Pests/Diseases: None serious enough to worry about, other than the occasional slug attack. Fight back with bait or diatomaceous earth sprinkled around the base of the fronds.

Companions: Ferns are lovely with other shade-lovers such as Alchemilla, Brunnera (False Forget-me-not), Dicentra (Bleeding Heart), Hosta, Mertensia (Virginia Bluebells), Phlox divaricata, Pulmonaria (Lungwort), Tiarella (Foam Flower), and Viola. They add fabulous texture to woodlands and landscape plantings. Ferns are deer-resistant, so they make an excellent choice for a woodland garden where deer are a problem.

Dividing/Transplanting: When Fern fronds appear to be smaller, or the clump has a bare center, it is time to divide. Some Ferns form crowns while others grow as mats of fibrous roots. Dig up the whole clump and take 6″-square pieces from the most vigorous growth. Replant at the original depth and water well.

End-of-Season Care: Cut fronds back after a killing frost, and apply a winter mulch of salt marsh hay or evergreen boughs to help prevent winter heaving.

Calendar of Care - Ferns

Early Spring: Divide or transplant as soon as new growth appears, and water well if it is unseasonably dry, as plants prefer an evenly moist soil. Fertilize gently with a slow-release fertilizer or use an organic mulch. Recently planted Ferns may be slow to appear, but be patient.

Mid-Spring: Water consistently if rainfall is not sufficient to keep soil moist. Apply a 2″ thick mulch of composted leaves or pine needles.

Late Spring: Watch for slug or snail damage and treat as necessary.

Summer: Continue regular watering as needed to maintain soil moisture.

Fall: Cut foliage back to soil level when it dies back after a heavy frost. When the ground freezes, mulch to protect plants from heaving out of the soil in winter.

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