I’ve been dressing up my porches for fall, and one plant in particular caught my eye. My boxwood basil had withered down to a few sparse shoots and no longer provided the color and texture I wanted on the porch.
On a quick run to a local garden shop I was immediately drawn to a group of autumn ferns. The name can be a little misleading: these ferns begin to show rich color during spring and summer and then take on a deeper russet hue in autumn. Still, their vibrant foliage sold me—they came home with me that day.
These plants are sometimes called red or pink shield fern. Like other ferns, they prefer shady to partly shaded locations and consistently moist, well-draining soil. With proper care—watering thoroughly, then allowing the soil surface to dry slightly before watering again—an autumn fern can reach up to about three feet in height.
At the moment I’ve placed the fern in a large planter on my back porch, but it will soon move to a shady spot in our side yard where the soil is ideal. I’m holding off on transplanting it immediately because I’m enjoying its presence on the porch each morning as I sip my coffee.
The fern’s texture and color make it a lovely focal point on the porch, and its low-light tolerance makes it a practical choice for shady outdoor areas. Once it’s settled into the side yard, I expect it to fill out and provide a beautiful backdrop through the seasons.
I’m tempted to go back and pick up a few more to scatter around the porch and yard—these ferns are that charming. They’re easy to care for, visually striking, and a simple way to refresh outdoor spaces for the season.