Tasmanian Tree Fern | Elegant Arching Green Fronds

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Tasmanian Tree Fern

Dicksonia antarctica

A dramatic, prehistoric tree fern with a soft, hairy trunk and a lush canopy of arching, deep green fronds.

$69.00

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Description

The Tasmanian Tree Fern is a magnificent, prehistoric-looking plant that brings a dramatic, tropical elegance to temperate and subtropical gardens. Native to Australia, including Tasmania, this slow-growing evergreen tree fern is prized for its thick, fibrous, reddish-brown trunk (caudex) and its canopy of large, arching, deep green, lacy fronds . The trunk is soft and covered with a dense mat of reddish-brown hairs, and it is not a true wood but a mass of aerial roots, which allows the plant to absorb moisture from the air. A true showstopper, it is an outstanding choice for creating a lush, Jurassic-era focal point in shaded, sheltered gardens, patios, and containers.

Quick Facts

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Light: Partial shade to full shade (dappled or morning sun is best)

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Foliage: Large, arching, triangular, leathery, deep green, tripinnate fronds (3-6 ft long); forms a graceful, spreading canopy.
Trunk: Thick, fibrous, soft, reddish-brown, hairy trunk (caudex); can reach 12-15 ft in height over many years; composed of aerial roots, not true wood.
Mature Height: 12-15 ft (over many decades; 6-10 ft in containers)
Mature Spread: 8-12 ft (frond spread)
Growth Rate: Slow (1-2 inches of trunk growth per year)
Hardiness Zones: USDA 9-11 ; Sunset 8, 9, 14-17, 19-24, H1 (hardy to approx. 20°F/-7°C with protection)
Core Benefits: Dramatic, prehistoric tree fern form, hardy for a tree fern, lush tropical foliage, soft textured trunk, excellent focal point.
Best Uses: Specimen plant, focal point, shaded borders, tropical-themed gardens, woodland gardens, courtyard gardens, sheltered patios, large containers, poolside plantings.

Faqs

Q: How cold hardy is the Tasmanian Tree Fern?
A: It is considered one of the hardiest tree ferns, tolerating brief temperature drops to 20°F (-7°C)when mature and well-protected (e.g., with a thick mulch over the crown). However, it is best grown in USDA zones 9-11 . Prolonged freezing or temperatures below 20°F will severely damage or kill it. It should be planted in a sheltered location.

Q: How do I water a Tasmanian Tree Fern?
A: This plant has high water needs and must never be allowed to dry out completely. Water both the soil (keep it consistently moist) and the trunk (spray it with a hose). The trunk is composed of aerial roots that absorb moisture and is a key part of the plant's water uptake. In dry or windy weather, water the trunk daily.

Q: How large does it get, and how fast does it grow?
A: It is a slow grower. The trunk height increases by only about 1-2 inches per year . Over many decades, it can reach a height of 12-15 feet in ideal conditions . The frond spread, however, can reach its mature size of 8-12 feet much more quickly (within 5-10 years). In containers, growth is slower, and the plant will remain smaller.

Q: Can I cut the top off my tree fern to move it or to stop it from growing taller?
A: No, you should never cut the trunk of a Dicksonia antarctica. The growing point (the crown) is at the very top of the trunk. If you cut the trunk, you will kill the plant. The trunk cannot resprout from below the cut.

Q: How do I protect it in winter in a marginal climate (e.g., zone 8)?
A: To protect it from frost, you need to protect the crown (the center of the fronds at the top of the trunk). In late fall, gather the fronds loosely upwards and fill the crown with a dry, insulating material like straw or leaves . Then cover the entire top of the plant with a frost cloth. Also, apply a thick layer of mulch around the base of the trunk. Do not use plastic.

Q: Can it be grown in a container?
A: Yes, it can be grown in a large container for a number of years. Use a very large, heavy pot (to prevent tipping) with excellent drainage and a well-draining, acidic, organically rich potting mix. Container plants will need more frequent watering and must be protected from freezing temperatures in winter . The trunk height will be more restricted in a container.

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Regular local delivery: San Francisco, Peninsula, South Bay, East Bay, Marin, Tracy / Mountain House and surrounding service areas.

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