Silver Fern

Native to New Zealand, Cyathea dealbata, or Silver Fern is an iconic and elegant tree fern, famous for the striking, luminous silvery-white undersides of its mature fronds. These fronds form a wide, spreading canopy atop a slender trunk covered in distinctive pale-colored scales. Reaching up to 10m in its natural habitat, it is slightly more delicate than its Australian cousins but offers an unmatched architectural beauty. In Ireland, it is best suited to sheltered, coastal gardens or large containers where its unique foliage can be protected from harsh conditions. They make an excellent focal point in a woodland garden or a large conservatory.

Site: Sheltered, thrives in coastal humidity
Soils: Consistently moist, humus-rich, well-drained, and acidic soils
Position: Partial to full shade; dislikes drying winds
Season of interest: All year round for its evergreen, architectural fronds
Hardiness: Not fully hardy, needs Winter protection
Height: 8-16' (2.5 to 5m) Spread: 8-13' (2.5 to 4m)

Image 2 by Ashley Basil cropped and licensed under CC BY 2.0