The Autumn Fern is a hardy, erect fern with outward-curving fronds. With young, reddish-bronze foliage than matures to a shiny dark green this plant makes for a great accent in a shady part of an landscape or even as a container plant. Although this slow grower can take 5+ years to reach maturity once it was you can expect your fern to be span widths between 24 and 26 inches while reaching 18 to 24 inches in height. Autumn ferns are low-growing frilly fern such as these often behaves like a groundcover plant do to its spreading habit. Use the fern in barrens spots in your shade garden or simply add them to areas that you feel need some seasonal color. When you are placing the plants in the ground spacing will based on the outcome that you seek. If you would like to form a seamless row of fern plants place them within 12 - 14" of each other. To allow the naturally low growing fern to cover more area as it covers large amounts of space we suggest planting at least 18 inches apart. Water until it is established as a newly planted fern will need regular watering in the absence of rain. In climates with regular rainfall watering will not be necessary. Make sure that the soil remains moist at all times, but not to the point that water is able to pool. Ferns require well draining soil to remain healthy.