Brilliance autumn fern (Dryopteris erythrosora 'Brilliance') brings rich, shifting color to shaded beds with minimal fuss. You get glossy fronds that emerge coppery pink to orange-red in spring, then settle into deep green for the rest of the season. In mild climates it can stay attractive through winter, and in colder areas it is often semi-evergreen, keeping some foliage until new fronds push in spring.

Give it partial shade to full shade and consistently moist, humus-rich soil for best performance. You can tuck it into a woodland edge, under a canopy of trees, along the north side of a house, or in a shaded container where you can enjoy the spring flush up close. Aim for good drainage while avoiding droughty sites; once established it can handle brief dry spells, but it looks best when moisture stays even.

At maturity, clumps typically stand about 18-24 inches tall, with arching, vase-shaped fronds and a slow to moderate spread over time from short, creeping rhizomes. Use it as a textural accent, mass it as a calm green backdrop, or pair it with hostas, heucheras, epimediums, and spring bulbs for layered shade-garden interest.

Maintenance is simple: cut away tired or winter-damaged fronds in late winter or early spring before fresh growth begins. Mulch with leaf mold or shredded leaves to conserve moisture and feed the soil, and shelter plants from drying winds to keep fronds looking clean.

Specifications

• Cold hardiness zone: 7-8 (0 degrees F) - Contact your local extension to confirm hardiness if you are in a fringe zone (we cannot guarantee hardiness in fringe zones)
• Light: Part sun   Shade
• Growth rate: Moderate
• Mature height: 18-24"
• Spread: 18-24"
• Tolerant of: Deer, Drought, Rabbits
• Evergreen: Yes

Shipping

FREE SHIPPING - Classy Groundcovers offers free shipping, and your plants never spend more than three days in transit.

Precise delivery - another benefit from shopping with us is that you know hpw to control exactly when your order will be shipped.

Shipping information that applies to all plants:
- You May Specify Your Shipping Date
- Lookup Shipping Date and Tracking Information
- Special Delivery Instructions
- Changing Your Shipping Date
- Accepting Delivery
- Unpacking Your Order
- Returns

Care