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

Autumn Fern is the most dynamic fern in terms of seasonal interest. Compared to Holly Ferns, it’s softer in texture and far more colorful during new growth, especially in early Spring when the fronds emerge in warm copper and bronze tones. It’s tougher than Maidenhair Ferns and less demanding overall, handling temperature swings and imperfect moisture with ease. Against Button and Lemon Button Ferns, it’s clearly an outdoor-first plant, built for woodland and shade gardens. The coppery new fronds are what set it apart.

As the season progresses, Autumn Fern settles into a deep green, giving you two looks in one plant. It doesn’t sprawl like Asparagus Ferns and doesn’t demand the attention of Staghorn Ferns. The fronds remain upright and well-formed rather than floppy, which helps it read clean and intentional in mixed plantings. It’s dependable, cold-hardy, and visually interesting without being loud. I like Autumn Fern when I want subtle color changes and a natural, layered look in shaded landscapes.