Plant guide: Dicksonia antarctica
If you’re looking for a dramatic, verdant, architectural plant for a shady spot, then the tree fern Dicksonia antarctica is the perfect choice.
The hardiest of all the tree ferns – and therefore the one best suited to growing in the UK – these ancient plants make a really impressive impact wherever they’re positioned. The huge ferns, with vast green fronds unfurling on top of pre-historic looking “trunks” are becoming more and more popular in gardens recently, and we’re absolutely hooked on them too.
Tree ferns do require a bit of extra maintenance compared to some other plants. They need a lot of moisture to stay happy, so it’s really important to water them frequently, especially in the Summer months. And they’re sensitive to frosts, so the crown needs to be wrapped up during the Winter in all but the mildest parts of the UK. But we think this extra bit of work is well worth it for the lush impact they make in the garden…
Botanical name: Dicksonia antarctica
Plant type: Evergreen tree. It may lose some fronds in colder parts of the country during the Winter months.
Growing conditions: Tree ferns grow best in partial to full shade. They can be planted into the ground, but also look really impressive in large planters. Choose a spot with plenty of space around it, as the fronds can easily grow up to about 2m long or more.
They need a sheltered location, with protection from harsh winds.
How to plant:
Tree ferns are incredibly slow growers (they typically only increase in height by 2.5cm a year) so it’s best to buy one at the size you’d like it to remain (or the biggest one you can afford, as they’re not the cheapest of plants…)
Despite their size, they’re fairly straightforward to plant as they hardly have any root system. The huge fibrous trunk can just be lifted into position, and then secured into the soil or compost. Plant as deep as you need to make it secure in its spot.
Care:
It’s really important to water a tree fern well once it’s first been planted, and then again throughout the hotter months. This is a plant that thrives in a damp environment, so aim to keep the area around its base permanently moist. During really hot months, it is also helpful to pour water straight onto the crown too – the area from which all the fronds emerge on top of the trunk. Tip an entire watering can of water over it approximately once a week to once a fortnight.
During the winter, the top of the trunk will need to be wrapped in all but the mildest parts of the UK. The central growing point, from which all of the fronds unfurl, must be protected from frost. One of the easiest ways to do this is to carefully pack out the top with straw, and then draw the ferns upwards and tie them. This provides extra warmth and protection to the delicate growing points.
Grow with:
Tree ferns are really architectural, statement plants and look good paired with other similar green-leaved plants – for example, other low growing ferns, large-leaved plants such as Fatsia japonica, and hostas.
Paired with bananas, colocasias or bamboo, tree ferns can help create a tropical garden vibe.
Or opt for tree ferns on their own; a collection planted in the ground or in pots, with a really simple underplanting of evergreen groundcover can make a jaw-dropping statement on its own. Take a look at this almost prehistoric garden designed by Tom Stuart Smith where the sole focus is the majestic tree ferns.
