Growing Hydrangeas in Pots: Choosing Varieties, Planting and Care
Hydrangeas grow well in pots when the variety, container and compost are chosen with their eventual size and moisture needs in mind. Learn how to plant, water, feed and protect...
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Dryopteris erythrosora ‘Brilliance’
Copper Shield Fern 'Brilliance'
I hold the RHS | Award of Garden Merit
Dryopteris erythrosora ‘Brilliance’ is selected for especially vivid copper-orange new fronds, which retain their warm colour for longer before settling to glossy green. The upright shuttlecock habit reaches around 60–90cm and gives strong contrast beside hostas, hellebores and darker ferns. It performs best in sheltered partial or full shade on moisture-retentive soil.
✅ Particularly bright copper-orange new growth
✅ Warm frond colour lasts longer than the typical species
✅ Evergreen to semi-evergreen structure suits shaded borders
Plant Details
Size
- Max Height
- 0.5 m — 1.0 m
- Max Spread
- 0.5 m — 1.0 m
- Growth Habit
- Grows in tight bunches from base, forming rounded groups.
Planting Position
- Sunlight Indicates how much direct sunlight the plant needs each day. Full sun means 6+ hours, part shade is filtered or morning sun, and full shade is little to no direct sun.
- Full Shade Part Shade
- Aspect Aspect refers to the direction the planting spot faces (north, south, east or west). It affects light levels, warmth and exposure.
- North South East West
- Exposure Exposure describes how sheltered or exposed a plant’s position is, particularly to wind and weather.
- Sheltered
- Hardiness Hardiness indicates how well a plant tolerates cold conditions outdoors. Higher ratings generally mean greater frost tolerance.
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(−15 to −10 °C) Cold-hardy
Ideal Soil Conditions
- Soil Type Soil type describes the texture of the soil (clay, sand, loam, chalk). This affects drainage, nutrients and how roots grow.
- Soil Moisture Soil moisture tells you how wet or dry the soil should be for best growth. Match this to your garden conditions for healthier plants.
- Moist but permeable / Poorly-drained / Free draining
- Soil pH Soil pH measures how acidic or alkaline the soil is. It affects nutrient availability and can impact plant growth.
Plant Uses & Merits
- Uses
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- Flower Borders
- Underplanting
- Merits
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- Generally disease-free
- Generally pest-free
- Low Maintenance
- RHS | Award Of Garden Merit
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