Botanical Name: Dryopteris erythrosora

Common Name: Autumn Fern

Hardiness Zone: Perennial in Most Climates (USDA Zones 5–9)

Size: 18–24" Tall × 18–24" Spread

Growth Habit: Upright, Clump-Forming Fern

Sunlight: Partial Shade to Full Shade (Tolerates Morning Sun)

Soil: Prefers Moist, Well-Drained, Organic-Rich Soil

Water Needs: Moderate; Consistent Moisture for Best Appearance

Bloom Season: N/A (Foliage Plant)

Fertilizer: Light Feeding in Spring with Organic Matter

Features: Coppery-Red New Growth, Glossy Evergreen to Semi-Evergreen Foliage, Deer Resistant, Low Maintenance

Uses: Ideal for Shade Gardens, Woodland Gardens, Borders, Mass Plantings, and Containers

Patent: ❌ Not Patented

Propagation: ✔ Propagation Allowed

More About Autumn Fern

Autumn Fern is one of the most dependable and visually interesting ferns for home gardens, prized for its striking coppery-red new fronds that emerge in spring and gradually mature to glossy deep green. This color transition gives the plant its common name and provides multi-season interest that most ferns simply don’t offer.

Unlike delicate or high-maintenance fern species, Dryopteris erythrosora forms a sturdy, upright clump that holds its shape throughout the growing season. In mild climates, it remains evergreen or semi-evergreen, providing year-round structure and texture in shaded areas.

Why We Like It (Our Trials)

In our trials, Autumn Fern has proven to be exceptionally reliable across a wide range of shade conditions. It tolerates heat better than many traditional ferns, holds up well in humid summers, and maintains clean foliage with minimal care.

We especially appreciate its versatility. It works beautifully as a foundation plant in shade borders, under trees and shrubs, or as a bold foliage contrast alongside hostas, heuchera, and hellebores. Deer consistently avoid it, and it does not spread aggressively, making it easy to manage in designed landscapes.

Autumn Fern vs. Other Ferns

Compared to Boston or Maidenhair ferns, Autumn Fern is far more forgiving and durable. While some ferns demand constant moisture and high humidity, Autumn Fern adapts well to average garden conditions as long as the soil stays reasonably moist.

When compared to evergreen ferns like Christmas Fern (Polystichum acrostichoides), Autumn Fern offers more dramatic seasonal color thanks to its copper-toned new growth. For gardeners seeking a fern that combines reliability, texture, and visual interest, Autumn Fern is one of the best all-around choices available.