Dicksonia antarctica - Soft Tree-Fern

Native to coastal parts of Australia, Dicksonia antarctica is a magnificent, slow-growing, evergreen tree-fern (deciduous in colder areas) and one of the easiest to grow. The brown, fibrous ‘stem’ slowly grows taller, crowned by a rosette of beautiful, glossy, deep green fronds up to three metres long – a wonderfully architectural plant. Winter protection essential in all but the mildest areas – wrap the top of the ‘stem’ in fleece and protect the growing point in the crown with straw or similar insulation, and if pot-grown, bring inside or insulate the pot. Water the stem in hot weather; do not water the crown in winter.

On the larger tree Ferns, some of the length of the trunk is in the Pot to keep them steady.

Site: Sheltered, sheltered coastal
Soils: Moist but well-drained, acid to neutral soil
Position: Partial shade or dappled shade
Season of interest: Most of the year
Hardiness: Frost-hardy
Height to 13’ (4m) Spread to 13’ (4m)