Botanical name
Dryopteris erythrosora
Other names
Copper shield fern, Japanese shield fern, Aspidium erythrosorum
Genus
Dryopteris
Species
D. erythrosora – D. erythrosora is a compact, clump-forming, semi-evergreen fern with broadly ovate, bi- or tripinnate fronds and red young spores (sori). Fronds are bronze- to copper-pink when young turning semi-glossy and dark green with age.
Native to
Garden origin
Foliage
Semi evergreen
Habit
Compact, Clump-forming, Spreading
Awards
RHS AGM (Award of Garden Merit)
COLOUR
Flower
Insignificant or absent in All seasons
Foliage
Bronze, Flushed pink in Spring; Dark-green in Summer
General care
Pruning
Remove dead or damaged fronds.
Propagation methods
Division, Spores
WHERE TO GROW
Dryopteris erythrosora (Copper shield fern) will reach a height of 0.75m and a spread of 0.75m after 5-10 years.
Suggested uses
Cottage/Informal, Beds and borders, Low Maintenance, Underplanting, Wildflower, Foliage only
Cultivation
Grows in most cool, moist, lightly shaded sites. Will grow in full sun if soil remains moist. Tolerates dry shade if watered regularly in first growing season and mulched well.
Soil type
Chalky, Clay, Loamy, Sandy (will tolerate most soil types)
Soil drainage
Moisture-retentive, Moist but well-drained
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Light
Partial Shade, Full Shade
Aspect
North, South, East, West
Exposure
Sheltered