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Native alternative(s) for Dryopteris erythrosora:
Dryopteris marginalis Dryopteris marginalis
Plants that fill a similar niche:
Helleborus niger Helleborus niger
Polystichum acrostichoides Polystichum acrostichoides
Rohdea japonica Rohdea

Japanese Shield Fern Dryopteris erythrosora

Other Common Name(s):

Phonetic Spelling
dry-OP-ter-iss er-rith-roh-SOR-uh
Description

Japanese Shield Fern is a small fern native to eastern Asia. They form an arching vase-shaped clump reaching a mature size of  2' tall and 2' wide.   Grown in acidic high organic matter soils that stay moist.  Plants will spread slowly over time through underground creeping rhizomes.  It is a low maintenance fern that withstands full shade is resistant to browsing by rabbits.  Protect plants from drying winds.  This plant is seldom damaged by deer.

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:  No serious problems.

VIDEO Created by NC State Extension's Homegrown series featuring Mark Weathington, Director of JC Raulston Arboretum.

 

More information on Dryopteris.

Profile Video:
See this plant in the following landscapes:
Collector’s Garden Shade Border Part Shade Garden, Durham County Sun and Shade Demonstration Garden, Buncombe County Small Shade Garden Shaded Patio Garden
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Brilliance'
'Brilliance'
Tags:
#evergreen#houseplant#drought tolerant#slow growing#shade garden#colorful leaves#fern#low maintenance#winter interest#rabbit resistant#mass planting#dappled shade#deer resistant#rhizomes#dry soils tolerant#partial shade tolerant#HS302#heavy shade tolerant#stormwater demo garden orange co#container plant#dry shade#buncombe county sun and shade garden
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Brilliance'
'Brilliance'
Tags:
#evergreen#houseplant#drought tolerant#slow growing#shade garden#colorful leaves#fern#low maintenance#winter interest#rabbit resistant#mass planting#dappled shade#deer resistant#rhizomes#dry soils tolerant#partial shade tolerant#HS302#heavy shade tolerant#stormwater demo garden orange co#container plant#dry shade#buncombe county sun and shade garden
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Dryopteris
    Species:
    erythrosora
    Family:
    Polypodiaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    China to Temp. Eastern Asia
    Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
    Heavy shade, This plant is seldom damaged by deer.
    Dimensions:
    Height: 1 ft. 6 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 2 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Fern
    Ground Cover
    Perennial
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Semi-evergreen
    Habit/Form:
    Arching
    Clumping
    Vase
    Growth Rate:
    Slow
    Maintenance:
    Low
    Texture:
    Fine
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
    Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    Clay
    High Organic Matter
    Loam (Silt)
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Occasionally Dry
    Available Space To Plant:
    12 inches-3 feet
    3 feet-6 feet
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b, 11a, 11b, 12a, 12b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Description:
    No fruits. This plants reproduces via spores.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Description:
    No flowers.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Semi-evergreen
    Leaf Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Green
    Orange
    Pink
    Red/Burgundy
    Leaf Feel:
    Rough
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Leaf Type:
    Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
    Fronds
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Rosulate
    Leaf Margin:
    Crenate
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    > 6 inches
    Leaf Width:
    > 6 inches
    Leaf Description:
    Young fronds are glossy, coppery pink; mature fronds are deep, glossy green; fronds are broad, triangular and bipinnate; segments have curved teeth; small scales on undersurface of midvein and pinna rachises; remains erect in winter; bright red indusia covering young sori.
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Container
    Houseplants
    Patio
    Small Space
    Woodland
    Landscape Theme:
    Drought Tolerant Garden
    Fairy Garden
    Shade Garden
    Winter Garden
    Design Feature:
    Accent
    Mass Planting
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Deer
    Drought
    Dry Soil
    Heavy Shade
    Rabbits
    Urban Conditions