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Japanese Shield Fern {3 1/4 in. Pots, min 25}
12 customer reviews
Dryopteris erythrosora (AKA Aspidium erythrosora, Dryopteris bulligera, Dryopteris distantipinna, Dryopteris linyingensis, Autumn Fern, Copper Shield Fern, Japanese Wood Fern)
Pronunciation: dry-OP-ter-iss eh-RITH-roh-sor-ah
Product: 162
Shipping description: This product cannot be shipped to AZ, CA, NV, OR, or WA

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Content note: AI-assisted: Some images, descriptions, or plant specifications on this page may have been created or revised with the assistance of AI. This content is checked, but inaccuracies may remain.

Please also note: Images show mature plants; young plants may take several years to develop similar colors. Flower and foliage colors vary with season, growing conditions, and photography. If this plant is new to you, or you would like a broader sense of its natural color range, please view additional photographs [here], and feel free to contact us with questions.
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.
See other plants that go well with this plant.
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.

Our ferns generally thrive in part shade and full shade. Have a full sun location? Southern Shield Fern even tolerates full sun! You will love the hardiness of our ferns as all of them are tolerant of drought and most are rarely eaten by deer.

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.

See all ferns
Specifications
Shipping
No unusual shipping concerns for this plant.
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Shipping information that applies to all plants:
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Care
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).
General information that applies to all plants:
- Ground preparation, fertilization, pH
- Planting instructions
- Explanation and description of bare roots
- How to plant bare root plants
- If you cannot plant bare roots right away

Reviews
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Highly recommend
06/11/2020 By Betsy Emes (DC)
Product reviewed: Japanese Shield Fern {3 1/4 in. Pots min 25}

Beautiful, high-quality plants, skillfully packed with almost no broken fronds - amazing!!
Very Happy
05/26/2020 By Roy Gustaveson (MA)
Product reviewed: Japanese Shield Fern {3 1/4 in. Pots min 25}

The ferns were very healthy and full and arrived in perfect condition. Definitely will use CG again in the future. Highly recommended.
Ferns
10/31/2019 By Alana Courtney (VA)
Product reviewed: Japanese Shield Fern {3 1/4 in. Pots min 25}

I was so pleased with the speedy delivery and the condition of the ferns when they arrived. They appeared in great condition and my landscaper was so pleased. I'm looking forward to seeing these beautiful ferns come up next spring, and buying more from your... Read full review >
Good quality ferns, well packed.
04/23/2019 By John Birkhoff (CT)
Product reviewed: Japanese Shield Fern {3 1/4 in. Pots min 25}

Expect good result.
Japanese Shield Ferns
03/05/2019 By Carolyn Prosio (SC)
Product reviewed: Japanese Shield Fern {3 1/4 in. Pots min 25}

I received my first order of 25 ferns last week and ordered a second box this morning. I am beyond happy with the quality of the plants!
We now primarily use Google Customer Reviews.
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