Imagine the flickering flames of a fireplace or the copper blaze of a campfire, and you have the perfect picture of Japanese Shield Fern when her fronds first emerge. Lovely pumpkin-bronze fronds (11-28 inches tall and 5-14 inches broad) explode from the ground and when mature, turn a gratifying green hue.
Evergreen in mild climates, Japanese Shield Fern is a dwarf fern, excellent for borders and mass plantings where she is happy to control erosion. With her slow to moderate growth rate, she tolerates drought drought, but prefers well drained, moist humus-rich acidic soil.
You should know she will not tolerate heat or mid- to late-day sun, though morning sun is alright. Additionally, she will not put up with soil that is poorly draining, or packed hard. She will perform famously if planted in light, woodland shade on low mountains or hills. Japanese Shield Fern boasts bipinnate fronds with 8-20 pairs of pinnae.
In an otherwise shaded environment, Japanese Shield Fern becomes a lovely glow of warm rusty color shifting to a glimmering green later in season making her a true center-piece of any garden. Dryopteris erythrosora is a species of fern native to eastern Asia from China and Japan to the Philippines.
Things to Note If you live in a city where automobile pollution is high, you should not consider Japanese Shield Fern.
Gardener Tips Consider planting Japanese Shield Fern with clumps of Black Mondo Grass for striking diversity in color resulting in a perennial shade rainbow. You will adore the results.
General information about Ferns:
When gardeners and landscape designers are looking for a dramatic, vibrant spray of color and foliage, they will often consider ferns for their project.
In addition to sweeping texture and lush greenery, ferns work wonderfully as independent or companion perennials.
Perfect in mass plantings where they create the feeling of a field of grass swaying gently in soft breezes, ferns are also delightful as
borders
where they stand like shapely chartreuse soldiers at the edges of garden beds.
Then again, when used as accents, in single plantings, or clusters amidst a rock garden, you have a moving work of willowy art.
But what to choose?
You’ll be pleased to know that after more than 40 years of experimenting with various ferns, we have compiled a selection of the easiest to grow and hardiest ferns.Essentially, we’ve narrowed the list down for you, so you can select from our varieties with confidence.
A bonus with our ferns is that all, except
Japanese Painted Fern
and
Japanese Shield Fern
are
native to the United States.
Selections like
Christmas Fern
are wonderful
erosion control
options.
With some ferns being
evergreen
and some semi-evergreen, you are sure to find the option that works wonderfully for your garden.
Be sure to check each plant's Description tab for details.
Special note when planting bare root ferns in hot weather: If you plant bare root ferns during hot weather it is common for the foliage to die off. Do not fret, as long as you keep them moist they will grow back foliage. Depending on the severity of the heat it might not be until after summer ends.
These ferns are fabulous in the landscape. Virtually trouble free and look good most of the year here in zone 6B. My order arrived swiftly and in great shape. The plants were robust, well-rooted and healthy. Love, Classy Groundcovers!
I searched high and low for a plant that would be a good fit for my full shade backyard that could provide greenery and color year-round. I finally came across the Autumn Fern on Classy Groundcovers and was convinced it was the perfect. It even came in the... Read full review >
Plants were beautiful and healthy when they arrived. They are now planted and I can not wait to see this bed next spring. I will be ordering much more. Thanks for the the prompt delivery.
Performs best in well-drained (but moist) soil with added organic compost or peat moss. Best not to allow soil to dry out. Will tolerate sun if given enough moisture.Ferns have delicate foliage that often suffers during shipment and transplanting. Cut off any foliage that is broken, bent, brown or yellow - the plants will quickly recuperate with fresh growth. Bare root ferns are particularly prone to foliage loss, it is not uncommon to have to cut them off at ground level when transplanting. As long as the roots are firm they will recover, often showing new growth within weeks during warm months. If transplanting bare root ferns during warm weather they might not send up foliage until summer ends or the following spring (best to transplant bare root ferns when they are dormant: late fall to early spring).
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This link shows you photographs comparing potted and bare root plants for some of our most popular plants. It will improve your understanding of what to expect from the various sizes.
See all plants with foliage that stays green all year (depending on where you are in the country).
See all plants that grow within a certain height range.
See all plants that are good for borders and edging.
See all plants that grow relatively slowly.
See all plants that grow moderately fast.
See all plants that tolerate drought.
The organic component of soil, formed by the decomposition of leaves and other plant and animal material by soil microorganisms.
Leaflets are themselves divided into smaller leaflets.
Leaflets arranged in opposite pairs along the midrib.
See our Black Mondo Grass (Ophiopogon planiscapus 'Arabicus').
See all plants that are good for borders and edging.
See our Japanese Painted Fern (Athyrium niponicum 'Pictum').
See our Japanese Shield Fern (Japanese Wood Fern, Autumn Fern, Dryopteris erythrosora).
See all plants that are native to the U.S.
See all plants that thrive in part sun, part shade.
See all plants that thrive in full shade.
See all plants that thrive in full sun.
See our Southern Shield Fern (Dryopteris ludoviciana).
See all plants that tolerate drought (once established).
See all plants that deer tend to avoid (deer will eat anything if they are hungry enough).
See our Christmas Fern (Polystichum acrostichoides).
See all plants that are good for controlling erosion.
See all plants with foliage that stays green all year (depending on where you are in the country).
Know your zone and choose plants that will thrive there.
Look up their phone number here, then call them with questions about your local area (such as: Will ___ grow where I am?). They can advise you more precisely than we can.
A zone at one end of this range
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Conifers are gymnosperms, woody cone-bearing trees and shrubs. Examples of the 600+ conifers include cedars, cypresses, firs, junipers, kauri, larches, pines, hemlocks, redwoods, spruces, and yews.
See all plants that are good for borders and edging.
See all plants that are good for controlling erosion.
See all plants with foliage that stays green all year (depending on where you are in the country). Check the plant description to make sure it is evergreen in your Cold Hardiness Zone, some plants are semi-evergreen (meaning that they are evergreen only in warmer climates).
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