Autumn Fern, Brilliance

Dryopteris erythrosora 'Brilliance'

Height: 18-24in
Spread: 12-18in
Zone: 4-9
Exposure: Part shade to full shade
Bloom Time/Color: N/A
Uses: Shade gardens, borders, edging
Maintenance: Low
Other: Rabbit resistant

Autumn ferns are a great fern choice becuase they tolerate dry or wet shade. 'Brilliance' is characterized by fronds of deeply serrated, dark-green leaflets that emerge coppery-orange. Fronds can turn red again in fall, often after the first frost. If planted in mass at about one foot apart, they make an excellent, non-invasive ground cover or border to the shade garden. Excellent when mixed amongst hostas, coral bells, and other shade perennials. Autumn ferns prefer rich, well-drained soils in part shade to full shade in a consistently moist environment. Can tolerate drier soils. They are also disease/insect resistant and rabbits tend to avoid them. Can be semi-evergreen.