Tree ferns were a firm plant hunter’s favourite from Victorian times, 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 exotic-looking plants too.

Harvested under strict license from woodland clearance in Australia and Tasmania, and in very short supply this season, these astonishing plants really will delight and amaze. They grow under the woodland canopy, in the shade, so grow them here in a sheltered spot too. When you water them via the top crown, they will burst back into life, like it’s the new rainy season!

Because they grow in leaf canopies, most of their food comes from leaves falling into their giant shuttlecock like fronds, funnelling the goodness into the growing crown. Feed and water this crown – rainwater is best if you can collect it.

Even at this size of log, new fronds will unfurl spectacularly within a month or so of you watering it. The plant is hardy down to -5 in winter, although the fronds will die back. Cutting these off when they die back is what creates the new trunk, which slowly inches up over many, many years.

Keep the crown protected in winter with a layer of straw to keep 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.

Supplied as a 20cm (7in) log ready for immediate potting up.

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 really 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.