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Lavender companion · grow guide
Autumn Fern · Dryopteris erythrosora
Plant in part to full shade in moist, rich, slightly acidic soil. Fronds open coppery-pink and turn green, and it stays semi-evergreen into winter.
Check my zone & planting dates
Part shadeLight
Steady waterMoist drainage
pH 5.0–6.5Soil
Zones 5a–9bHardiness
24″ tall24″ wide
ResistantDeer · rabbits resistant
Mildly toxicPets
Huckleberry saysTell me where you grow and I’ll check if Brilliance will thrive there.
Hardy in zones 5a–9b
Spring or early fall.
Your year with Brilliance
When it arrives
Plugs arrive in active growth. Water the tray right away and keep it in bright shade, never hot sun. Plant within a few days or move into 3–4" pots. Set each plug so its top is level with the soil, and keep it evenly moist for the first month.
Spring or early fall.
Set the crown at soil level; don't bury the center.
18–24"; it slowly spreads to about 2–3 ft.
Humus-rich loam, slightly acidic · pH 5.0–6.5
Fix-it tip: Add compost or leaf mold. Mulch with shredded leaves or pine needles to keep roots cool and moist.
Part shade (tolerates full shade).
Dappled light to deep shade. Protect from hot afternoon sun and drying winds.
Don’t give up on it
New coppery-pink fronds unfurl in mid-spring. Last year's fronds may still be standing; that's normal.
Trim old fronds; enjoy coppery new growth.
Keep moist; shade from afternoon sun.
Fronds stay green into fall.
Light leaf mulch.
First season: Keep evenly moist the first season.
After that: Handles short dry spells once established; water in drought.
Light spring compost topdressing only.
Cut away old, tattered fronds in early spring before new fiddleheads unroll.
Every few years in spring if crowded.
Semi-evergreen; fronds may stay upright into winter. Shelter from drying winter wind; leaf mulch helps in zone 5.
Holds up well in heat if watered and shaded.
Brown, crispy frondsLikely cause: Sun or dry soil
What to do: Water and mulch; give more shade
Winter-burned frondsLikely cause: Cold, drying wind
What to do: Trim in spring; new fronds replace them
Slow growthLikely cause: Normal for this fern
What to do: Be patient; keep soil rich and moist
Crispy brown fronds mean too dry or sun-scorched. Yellowing with soggy soil means poor drainage.
Not listed by ASPCA. Rhizomes of some Dryopteris ferns contain compounds that are toxic if eaten in quantity. Discourage pets from chewing fronds or roots.
Deer: resistant · Rabbits: resistant
Finnegan saysStill not sure what’s wrong? Ask Plant Health — describe it or add a photo.
Good in pots · 2 gallon+
Good for shaded pots. Protect from hard freezes in winter.
Outdoor plant
Hardy fern that needs winter dormancy; not a houseplant.
Best after a cold winter
Grows best with a normal winter rest.
Plugs from the tray
3–4 inch pots for 3–5 weeks, until roots hold the soil
Garden bed or a 2 gallon potTime to move up? Slide the plant out: if white roots wrap the outside of the soil, it’s ready for the next size.
Planting with lavender
Give it its own spot
A shade and moisture lover. Grow it in a shaded bed, not with sun-loving lavender.
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