Plant of the Week ...

'Brilliance' Autumn Fern / Japanese Shield Fern 

Dryopteris e. 'Brilliance' 

Hardy ferns are probably the most ornamental of foliage plants adding great beauty to the garden; especially the shade garden.  Dryopteris erythrosora is known for its colorful new growth resembling the copper and orange shades of autumn.  'Brilliance' is a selection with even brighter copper orange new foliage (red spores on the backs of the fronds leaflets) lasting longer than most before fading into a dark glossy green.  Fronds are upright, evergreen, and last well into the winter.  (Grows 18-24" / shade to part shade / loamy evenly moist soils / shade gardens.)