The plants are beautiful and all 13 were consistent in height and width. And at a fraction of the cost of other garden centers. Having the team that delivered them do the planting was one of the best values I can think of. They did a great job from start to finish and even helped me with my watering system which they didn’t have to do!
Autumn Fern (1 Gallon)
Autumn Fern (1 Gallon)
| 1–5 | — | $10.00 ea |
|---|---|---|
| 6-11 | 10% off | $9.00 ea |
| 12-23 | 20% off | $8.00 ea |
| 24+ | 25% off | $7.50 ea |
36 in stock
Dryopteris erythrosora
Choose Autumn Fern for a neat shade planting where you want copper new growth without a fern that runs. The tradeoff: it gives texture and color, not height, screening, or quick bed coverage.
Buy This If
- You want tidy fern clumps.
- Shade needs copper spring color.
- You dislike aggressive spreaders.
Skip This If
- You need rapid bed coverage.
- You want a tall backdrop.
- The soil dries out often.
PGNE Report Card
| Category | Grade | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Landscape Impact | B+ | The copper new growth gives shade beds notice without taking over the planting. |
| Growth Rate | B | It fills its own clump readily, but it will not spread like a running fern. |
| Maintenance | A- | Cleanup is simple, mainly removing tired fronds after winter. |
| Deer Resistance | A- | Deer rarely browse ferns, making this one of the more dependable choices where deer pressure is heavy. |
| Small Space Fit | A | The clumping habit makes it easy to place near paths and foundations. |
| Screening Value | F | It is too low and open to serve as privacy or structure. |
Our Experience
At PGNE, we'd typically recommend Autumn Fern for smaller shade beds where control matters more than coverage. If the goal is a broad woodland carpet, we'd move you to a spreading fern instead. If the job is a native, wetland, or buffer planting, this is not the fern for it — look at our Cinnamon, Sensitive, or American Royal Fern.
Plant Facts
| Botanical Name | Dryopteris erythrosora |
|---|---|
| Common Name | Autumn Fern |
| Mature Height | 1.5-2 ft |
| Mature Width | 1.5-2 ft |
| Hardiness Zones | 5a-9b |
| Spacing | 1.5-2 ft |
| Sun | Part Shade to Shade |
| Moisture | Average to moist |
| Growth Habit | Clumping, arching |
| Evergreen | Yes |
| Native | No (species native to Japan) |
| Best Used For | Ornamental shade beds • Foundation and border texture • Small-space shade planting |
| Wetland Indicator Status | Not rated — non-native species, not listed on the USDA/USACE National Wetland Plant List. Not for wetland or buffer restoration work. |
Customers Usually Ask
Will it spread?
No, it stays in a clump and slowly widens.
Is this a native fern?
No. Autumn Fern is native to Japan and eastern Asia. It is an ornamental choice, not a restoration plant. For native plantings we would point you to Christmas, Lady, Cinnamon, or Ostrich Fern.
Does the copper color last?
The new fronds emerge copper, then mature green.
Should I cut it back?
Remove winter-worn fronds in early spring before new growth pushes.
CLEARANCE
Pro Growers of New England, Inc
SKU:PGNE-43001
Share
