Product Field NotesCompanion Plants
Brilliance Autumn Fern: Copper New Growth for the Shade Garden
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Brilliance autumn fern brings color to a plant group usually known for green. New fronds unfurl a glowing coppery orange to salmon, then mature to a shiny dark green, and because fresh fronds keep appearing through the season, the clump often shows both colors at once.
It is a fern for moist shade, so it does not belong with lavender. On a property that grows lavender, it is a fine choice for the shady woodland bed, the north side of the house or a container on a shaded porch.
Brilliance at a glance
| Trait | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Botanical name | Dryopteris erythrosora 'Brilliance' |
| Foliage | Coppery orange new fronds maturing to glossy dark green; red spore dots underneath in fall |
| Size | About 24 inches tall and wide |
| Hardiness | USDA zones 5 to 9 |
| Light | Part sun to part shade, or full shade |
| Winter | Semi-evergreen; fronds often persist into winter |
| Deer | Resistant; rabbits avoid it too |
Color for the shady side
Shade gardens can lean heavily on green. Brilliance breaks that up with its copper flush in spring and fresh bursts of warm color later in the season. Pair it with blue or gold hostas and the copper fronds glow; set it beside dark-leaved coral bells for a rich, autumnal look. In a Japanese-style bed, its upright, triangular fronds and glossy finish fit right in.
If you are planning a whole property around a lavender planting, the Companion Plant Planner lets you map the sunny lavender beds and the shady fern beds together so each plant gets the right spot.
Planting and care
- Light: afternoon shade is important. In hot, dry sites the fronds scorch and may brown by late summer.
- Soil: rich in organic matter, evenly moist and well drained. Crown rot is a risk in soggy ground.
- Water: keep the soil from drying out, especially in its first year.
- Slugs: may nibble tender new fronds in damp springs.
- Winter: hardy in zone 5 Michigan gardens. Mulch the crown in late fall and site it out of drying winter wind.
- Spring: cut back old or damaged fronds before the new ones unfurl.
Choosing a tray size
Brilliance is offered in two plug tray sizes: a 72-cell tray with more, smaller plugs for mass planting a large shade area, and a 20-cell tray with fewer, larger plugs that size up faster. Both suit growers and gardeners potting up their own plants. See each product page for current availability, or the Wholesale Hub for tray orders.
Frequently asked questions
What are the red dots under the fronds?
Those are spore clusters, a normal part of a fern's life cycle. On autumn fern they turn bright red in fall, which is one of its charms.
Does it stay green all winter?
In Michigan it is semi-evergreen. Fronds often hang on into winter, especially with some protection, and are trimmed away in spring.
Can it grow in a pot?
Yes. It is listed for shady containers. Keep the mix evenly moist.
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