Dryopteris erythrosora, commonly known as the Copper Shield Fern or Japanese Shield Fern, is one of the most visually striking and dependable hardy ferns available for UK gardens. Celebrated for its spectacular seasonal colour display, this semi-evergreen fern produces vivid copper-red new fronds in spring that gradually mature to a deep, glossy green — creating a bold and ever-changing contrast that brings year-round interest to shaded planting schemes.

This listing includes 3 individually grown plants, each supplied in 9cm pots, ready to plant directly into the garden, a mixed border, or a container scheme of your choice.

What's Included:

• 3 x Dryopteris erythrosora plants in 9cm pots
• Hardy, garden-ready semi-evergreen ferns
• Suitable for immediate planting in borders, containers, or woodland schemes

Cultural Information:

• Botanical Name: Dryopteris erythrosora
  
  
• Common Names: Copper Shield Fern, Japanese Shield Fern, Autumn Fern
  
  
• Classification: Semi-evergreen Fern
  
  
• Fully Grown Height & Spread: 45–60 cm × 45–60 cm (conditions dependent)
  
  
• Growth Habit: Upright, Vase-shaped Perennial Fern
  
  
• Perfect for: Shade Borders, Woodland Gardens, Cottage Gardens, North-facing Gardens, Container Planting, Rockery, Groundcover beneath Trees & Shrubs
  
  
• New Frond Colour: Vivid copper-red on emergence in spring, maturing to deep, glossy green through the season
  
  
• Planting Position: Full Shade to Partial Shade
  
  
• Soil Preference: Moist, humus-rich, well-drained; tolerates damp and wet soil conditions
  
  
• Type: Hardy Semi-evergreen Fern — RHS Award of Garden Merit holder; fully hardy throughout most of the UK (RHS H5)
  
  
• Foliage: Striking copper-red new fronds maturing to deep glossy green; semi-evergreen, holding foliage through most of the year
  
  
• Attracts: Beneficial to woodland wildlife and shaded garden ecosystems

Plant Growing Conditions:

Dryopteris erythrosora thrives in shaded and partially shaded settings, making it a natural fit for woodland gardens, north-facing borders, cottage gardens, and damp or moist corners of the garden where many other plants struggle. It performs particularly well in humus-rich, moisture-retentive soils and is tolerant of areas prone to wetness, earning its reputation as one of the most reliable moisture-loving ferns for UK growing conditions.

A genuinely low-maintenance plant, it is well suited to both beginner and experienced gardeners. Its semi-evergreen habit means it holds its foliage through much of the year, providing structure, texture, and seasonal colour across multiple seasons. As an architectural and versatile fern, it works equally well as a border plant, a groundcover solution beneath trees and shrubs, a companion plant alongside other woodland species, or as a container or patio plant on a shaded terrace or rockery.

Notes: This set contains 3 individually grown Dryopteris erythrosora plants, the Copper Shield Fern, supplied in 9cm pots and ready to plant straight into your garden or chosen planting scheme.