Bring a touch of woodland elegance to your garden with this set of three Japanese Shield Ferns (Dryopteris erythrosora 'Prolifica'). Prized for its stunning coppery-bronze new fronds that unfurl in spring before maturing to a rich, glossy deep green, this fern adds year-round interest and texture to shady borders, woodland plantings and containers.
'Prolifica' is a particularly desirable compact form of the species, producing small bulbils along its fronds which give it a graceful, layered appearance. It is a reliable, low-maintenance perennial that thrives in shaded and partially shaded spots where many other plants struggle, making it an invaluable addition to any garden.
Each plant is supplied as a well-established 1 litre root ball, ready for planting straight into borders, beds or decorative pots.
What's Included:
- 3 or 6 x Dryopteris erythrosora 'Prolifica' (Japanese Shield Fern)
- Each supplied as a 1 litre root ball
- Well-established and ready to plant
Key Features:
- Striking coppery-bronze new growth matures to glossy dark green
- Compact, clump-forming habit – ideal for borders and containers
- Thrives in shade and partial shade where other plants may struggle
- Low maintenance and long-lived once established
- Semi-evergreen to evergreen in milder winters, providing year-round structure
- Excellent groundcover beneath trees, shrubs and in woodland gardens
Cultural Information:
- Botanical Name: Dryopteris erythrosora 'Prolifica'
- Common Names: Japanese Shield Fern, Autumn Fern, Copper Shield Fern
- Classification: Semi-Evergreen Perennial Fern
- Fully Grown Height and Spread: 30–45 cm × 30–45 cm
- Growth Habit: Compact, Clump-Forming Fern
- Perfect For: Shady Borders, Woodland Gardens, Underplanting, Containers
- Foliage Interest: Spring to Autumn (coppery-bronze new fronds maturing to glossy green)
- Planting Position: Partial Shade to Full Shade
- Soil Type: Moist, Well-Drained, Humus-Rich Soil
- Hardiness: Fully Hardy (RHS H5–H6)
- Type: Hardy Semi-Evergreen Perennial Fern
- Foliage: Coppery-Bronze New Fronds Maturing to Glossy Dark Green; Triangular, Bipinnate Fronds
Planting and Care Tips:
- Plant in a sheltered, shaded or partially shaded position
- Prefers moist, humus-rich soil – add leaf mould or compost when planting
- Water regularly during the first growing season to help establish a strong root system
- Mulch around the base in autumn to protect roots and retain moisture
- Remove old or damaged fronds in early spring to encourage fresh new growth
- Can be grown successfully in containers using a peat-free, moisture-retentive compost