Dryopteris erythrosora
Japanese Red Shield Fern
Common names: Red Shield Fern, Copper Shield Fern
At a glance
- Light
- Partial shade
- Pot size
- from 15 l
- Lifespan
- Perennial
- Hardiness
- Hardy down to −20 °C
- Water need
- Medium
Photo: KENPEI · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Source
This description was machine-translated.
Description
Dryopteris erythrosora, known in German as Rotschleierfarn, comes from the woodlands of East Asia. The young fronds emerge in spring in a bright coppery red and mature over the summer to a glossy dark green. The sori on the undersides of the fronds are initially covered by reddish indusia, which explains the German name. The plant grows 50 to 75 cm tall, with fronds arching outward in a wide curve, and over the years forms a bushy clump. In mild winters, part of the foliage remains green. In the garden, it suits partial shade and shade, under woody plants, along woodland edges, in shade beds and in large containers. The coppery new growth stands out especially against a dark background.
Care instructions
Plant the Japanese Red Shield Fern in April in a sheltered spot in partial to full shade, in humus-rich, moist soil. In light shade the coppery new growth is most striking, while in full sun the fronds develop brown, dried-out edges. Keep the soil evenly moist, water thoroughly during dry periods, and water regularly when grown in a container. A mulch layer of fallen leaves protects the soil from drying out. No summer pruning is needed. In March, shortly before new growth begins, remove brown, frost-damaged fronds at ground level. Common mistakes include drought stress, waterlogging, and sites that are too sunny. In harsh locations, protect the plant over winter with leaves.
The care notes were machine-translated from German.
Soil & site
Soil pH
Soil type
humus-rich, moist, well-drained, nutrient-rich
The autumn fern grows in humus-rich, loose soil that stays fresh to moderately moist. It prefers acidic to neutral soil into which you have worked plenty of leaf compost. Permanently dry or waterlogged soil does not suit it; the fronds then stay small and turn brown at the edges. On heavy soil, loosen with sand; on light soil, mix in compost and leaf mould.
Feeding
Light feeder
Months
Apr
In April, when growth begins, lay a layer of mature leaf compost around the plant. That is enough as food and at the same time keeps the soil moist. The autumn fern needs no more than that in the bed. In a container, renew the top layer of soil every spring and mix in compost.
Overwintering
The autumn fern is hardy here and partly stays green in mild winters. In severe winters the fronds die back, and the rootstock sprouts anew in spring. In harsh locations, cover the root area with leaves or brushwood in late autumn. Cut off old, brown fronds only in March, when the new ones appear. In a container, place the pot against a sheltered wall, wrap it in horticultural fleece and water on frost-free days.
Propagation
Methods
- Division
- From seed
The autumn fern can be divided in April, best with older, large plants. Dig up the rootstock just as the new fronds are emerging and divide it with a sharp spade into pieces with several frond buds and roots. Replant them straight away and keep them moist. The spores ripen in summer on the undersides of the fronds, where the round spore clusters are at first covered by a reddish veil. You can sow them on moist soil, but raising them takes several years.
For your garden
Grow Japanese Red Shield Fern yourself
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