Autumn Fern
Dryopteris erythrosora
- Stay Protected with Plant Sentry ™
Autumn Fern - Quart Container is backordered and will ship as soon as it is back in stock.
Plant Sentry™
Plant Sentry™
Plant Sentry is designed to protect both consumers and the nursery trade from invasive plant pests and diseases. Sites that display the Plant Sentry protection badge are protected from consumers buying and nurseries shipping material carrying invasive pests and diseases.
This proprietary eCommerce software prevents the shipment of a restricted plant to each state. The Plant Sentry system includes a shipment certification program. The Plant Sentry Compliance Officer works closely with NatureHills.com and each nursery or fulfillment center to ensure only compliant plants are sold to customers.
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Delivery and Shipping
Delivery and Shipping
Shipping
To obtain a more accurate shipment time-frame, simply enter your zip code in the “Find Your Growing Zone” box to the right. Our plants are grown all over the country and lead time on items may be different because of this. Once your order is placed, you will also receive the specific shipment time-frame information as part of your order confirmation. Once an item ships, you will receive shipment notification and tracking numbers, so you can follow along while your plant travels to your doorstep. We use FedEx, UPS, or USPS at our discretion.
Due to winter weather we have put a hold on shipping to the areas shown below in grey. You can still order now and we will ship the plant to you during an appropriate time for your zone.
Standard Shipping Rates
At Nature Hills we handle, package and ship the products you order with the utmost care to ensure healthy delivery. Shipping and handling charges are calculated based on the tables below. Please note that some items include an additional handling surcharge, these will be noted on the item's product page.
From | To | S&H |
---|---|---|
$0 | $19.99 | $24.99 |
$20 | $49.99 | $29.99 |
$50 | $69.99 | $34.99 |
$70 | $99.99 | $39.99 |
$100 | $129.99 | $44.99 |
$130 | $149.99 | $48.99 |
$150 | $150+ | Approx 28% |
Click here to see our full rates
Understanding Plant Options
Nature Hills offers plants in two main formats:
- Container Plants: Grown in pots with soil, sized by container volume and plant age
- Bare Root Plants: Dormant plants without soil, sized by height measurements
Container Plant Sizes
Container sizes indicate plant age and growing capacity rather than liquid volume equivalents. Our containers follow industry-standard nursery "trade gallon" specifications, which differ from standard liquid gallon measurements.
Young Plants (6 months to 18 months old)
Container Size | Actual Volume | Metric Equivalent |
---|---|---|
2" x 2" x 3" | 0.18 - 0.21 dry quarts | 0.20 - 0.23 dry liters |
4" Container | 0.31 - 0.87 dry quarts | 0.35 - 0.96 dry liters |
4.5" Container | 0.65 dry quarts | 0.72 dry liters |
6" Container | 1.4 dry quarts | 1.59 dry liters |
1 Quart | 1 dry quart | 1.1 dry liters |
5.5" Container | 1.89 dry quarts | 2.08 dry liters |
Established Plants (18 months to 2.5 years old)
Container Size | Actual Volume | Metric Equivalent |
---|---|---|
2 Quart | 2 dry quarts | 2.2 dry liters |
#1 Container | 2.26 - 3.73 dry quarts | 2.49 - 4.11 dry liters |
5" x 5" x 12" | 3.5 - 4.3 dry quarts | 3.85 - 4.74 dry liters |
Mature Plants (2-4 years old)
Container Size | Actual Volume | Metric Equivalent |
---|---|---|
#2 Container | 1.19 - 1.76 dry gallons | 5.24 - 7.75 dry liters |
#3 Container | 2.15 - 2.76 dry gallons | 8.14 - 12.16 dry liters |
Large Plants (3-5 years old)
Container Size | Actual Volume | Metric Equivalent |
---|---|---|
#5 Container | 2.92 - 4.62 dry gallons | 12.86 - 20.35 dry liters |
#6 Container | 5.25 - 6.01 dry gallons | 23.12 - 26.42 dry liters |
#7 Container | 5.98 - 6.53 dry gallons | 26.34 - 28.76 dry liters |
Bare Root Plants
Bare root plants are sold by height from the root system to the top of the plant. Plants may exceed minimum height requirements.
Common Sizes:
- Trees: 1 foot, 2 feet, 3 feet, 4 feet, 5 feet, 6 feet
- Shrubs & Perennials: 1 foot, 18 inches, 2 feet
Important Notes
Container Volume Specifications
- Trade Gallon Standard: Our containers follow industry-standard "trade gallon" specifications established by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI Z60.1) for nursery stock
- Volume Variations: Actual soil volume may vary due to plant root systems and growing medium settlement
- Age Indicators: Container size primarily indicates plant age and maturity rather than liquid volume equivalents
Growing Conditions
- Plant size can vary based on variety and growing conditions
- Container size helps indicate plant maturity and establishment level
- Larger containers generally mean more established root systems and faster landscape establishment
Seasonal Availability
- Bare root plants are available seasonally when dormant
- Container plants are available throughout the growing season
- Specific varieties may have limited availability in certain sizes
Questions?
For questions about specific plant sizes or availability, please contact our plant experts who can help you choose the right size for your landscape needs.
Plant Highlights
Autumn Fern highlights at a glance!
Specifications
Specifications
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Brand
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Botanical Name
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Growing Zones
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Mature Height
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Mature Spread
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Sun ExposureFull Shade
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Moisture
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Soil
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Growth RateMedium
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Flower Color
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Pollinator Friendly
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Pollinator Required
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Pruning Time
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Bloom PeriodSummer

Growing Zones 5-9
Autumn Fern (Dryopteris erythrosora) is a plant that will provide a new color with every season! It is one of the showiest ferns as the fronds emerge in the spring with beautiful, bright copper-bronze color tones. It then turns to dark green for summer, and back to bronze again in the fall.
Once established, it's virtually self-maintaining and truly eye-catching in any setting. It is one of the few perennials that will grow happily beneath large shade trees or in dry soils, as readily as it rambles along brooks, streams and water features. The fine texture adds bright green lace to the garden as a finishing touch, creating graceful edging and color to courtyards, garden beds and planters.
Creeping by underground roots and shoots, these groundcovers have a naturally spreading habit, with a single plant reaching a clump 24 inches tall and 18 inches wide at maturity. Very low maintenance, they don't mind acidic and wet soil, while even tolerating dry soil once established! How about that for adaptability?
Planting and Application:
It presents a great effect when planted near a rock or a small pond. Use in pots indoors or for a patio or deck plant. The fine-textured foliage is verdant greenery in floral arrangements, filler in container gardens and looks lovely filling out planters as it acts as a lush groundcover around a larger tree or houseplant.
Great for naturalizing dappled garden borders and perfect for shady woodland gardens. Add lacy fringe around the base of large shrubs and trees as a facer plant, where it won't mind the shade cast by the larger plant. Let overtake a dry shade bed or shady rock garden without worry. Just water enough to establish and let it run free in the shade!
- One of the Showiest Ferns
- Bright Green Lacy Fronds
- Naturalized & Spreads - Vase-Shaped Dwarf Clumps
- Coppery Red New Growth & Bronzy Fall Color
- Ideal for Containers, Edging & Shade Gardens
#ProPlantTips for Care:
These Ferns love both shade and partial shade, preferring full shade when planted in hot USDA growing zones and drier locations. In moist soil and cooler growing zones, they will tolerate part shade. Plant Ferns in a rich, organic soil that is well-drained, but once established tolerates a wide range of moisture availability. Mulch beds well to help hold in more moisture. Clean clumps in early spring before you see new growth emerging.
- Thrives Part Shade to Full Shade
- Moist to Dry Organic, Well-Drained Soil
- Deer Resistant & Drought Tolerant Once Established
- Prune & Clean Mounds Early Spring
- Evergreen in Warmer USDA Zones 5-9
Here's a plant that will be with you season after season! So versatile and adaptable, these are graceful shade-loving perennials with evergreen tendencies in warm climates! Order your Autumn Fern today from NatureHills.com for bold color and lacy texture for your garden!