Tree ferns were a firm plant hunter’s favourite back in Victorian times, as they were a symbol of wealth and travel experiences to Australia.

They have maintained this sense of mystique ever since. Now you too can grow these surprisingly easy to grow, exotic looking plants too!

Harvested under a strict license from woodland clearance in Australia and Tasmania, these astonishing plants really will delight and amaze. They grow under the woodland canopy, in the shade, so when planting them here, ensure you do so in a sheltered spot too.

Unlike the more mature tree ferns we sell, that come as ‘potter’ logs are at least 10 years old – this is a very young variety that you can watch flourish and grow for many years. It really is amazing how quickly your tree fern will grow.

They are hardy down to -5 in Winter, although the fronds will die back. Keep the crown protected in winter with a layer of straw or fleece to keep the cold and wet out. When you get it home, plant it in a big pot, or in the garden soil.

It takes almost 2 years to root in, so do not be alarmed by this slow growing beauty.

Fully deserving its coveted RHS Award of Garden Merit, you can be sure that this is a proven garden performer, guaranteed to be suitable for UK gardeners at every level of experience. You can therefore plant this in the garden with confidence, for stunning displays for many years to come.

Care Information

Your tree fern will thrive in a sheltered, humid and shaded position, with plenty of room to spread.
For best results, plant in humus-rich, neutral to slightly acid soil.
Planting Advice for Dicksonia antarctica:
Soak the base of the trunk, then plant just enough of it to ensure that the plant remains stable.
After planting frondless tree ferns, water every day until the foliage starts to emerge.
To encourage rooting, don?t feed the plant during its first year.
Tree ferns can also be grown in pots and should be planted in loam-based ericaceous compost, adding about 20 percent peat-free potting media for additional humus.
Apply a half strength liquid fertiliser once a week during the growing season or add a controlled-release granular fertiliser at the base of the plant in spring.
Top-dress container-grown plants or pot on annually in spring.
Aftercare Advice for your Tree Fern:
The trunk and crown of tree ferns will not tolerate drying out, so water regularly to ensure the trunk remains damp, and spray the trunk with water during hot weather (and also during dry conditions in winter).
After the first year of planting, apply a liquid feed to the fronds and trunk once a month, from mid-spring to mid-summer, when the plant is in growth.
Alternatively, spread controlled-release fertiliser around the base of the plant in spring.
Young plants can be stood outside in the summer but keep out of direct sunlight. Avoid indoor temperatures greater than 32?C (90?F).
Winter protection:
Hardiness tends to increase with the height of the growing point above the ground so young plants with no trunk are not suitable to overwinter outdoors except in very sheltered sites.
To protect plants growing outdoors to avoid damage to fronds, put a handful of straw in the crown and fold the fronds in on themselves.
Container-grown plants in milder areas should be placed in a sheltered position and the container bubble-wrapped from late October. More substantial wrapping is needed if you have a more exposed garden.
Remove wrapping in spring, before new fronds come into growth.
In cold gardens tree ferns are best lifted and brought into a conservatory or greenhouse.