The beauty of a cool, moist woodland garden overflowing with ferns is difficult to create on the prairie, but autumn fern can tolerate our heat if given adequate shade and moisture. In spring, autumn fern’s fronds unfurl a copper red, then turn to bronze, and finally become a shiny dark green. The fronds are upright and will lend a lacy-fine texture to the garden. This is a striking border fern whose emerging fronds are pink or copper red, especially in early spring. They mature to light green. Arching, mature fronds have a somewhat leathery texture, reach up to 2 feet in length, and have red sori and green midribs. This fern is usually deciduous.