Imagine the flickering flames of a fireplace or the copper blaze of a campfire, and you have the perfect picture of Japanese Shield Fern when her fronds first emerge. Lovely pumpkin-bronze fronds (11-28 inches tall and 5-14 inches broad) explode from the ground and when mature, turn a gratifying green hue. Evergreen in mild climates, Japanese Shield Fern is a dwarf fern, excellent for borders and mass plantings where she is happy to control erosion. With her slow to moderate growth rate, she tolerates drought drought, but prefers well drained, moist humus -rich acidic soil. You should know she will not tolerate heat or mid- to late-day sun, though morning sun is alright. Additionally, she will not put up with soil that is poorly draining, or packed hard. She will perform famously if planted in light, woodland shade on low mountains or hills. Japanese Shield Fern boasts bipinnate fronds with 8-20 pairs of pinnae . In an otherwise shaded environment, Japanese Shield Fern becomes a lovely glow of warm rusty color shifting to a glimmering green later in season making her a true center-piece of any garden. Dryopteris erythrosora is a species of fern native to eastern Asia from China and Japan to the Philippines. Things to Note If you live in a city where automobile pollution is high, you should not consider Japanese Shield Fern. Gardener Tips Consider planting Japanese Shield Fern with clumps of Black Mondo Grass for striking diversity in color resulting in a perennial shade rainbow. You will adore the results. Spacing 12 - 24 inches. Mature height 18 - 24 inches. Part sun, Full shade. Zones: 5-8.