TREE FERNS

Dicksonia antarctica (shown left) is a fabtastic tree fern for UK gardens. Like most ferns it likes a partial shade to full Shade position. In areas prone to frost plants can be quite tender and so it is advisable to either wrapping the crown with straw, dead fronds or bubble wrap or keep your fern in a pot and move it into a conservatory. The ferns like to be planted in a well drained soil, preferably acidic. You will likely have acidic soil if plants like Rhododendrons and Camellias grow well in your garden, if you're not sure just plant the fren in ericaceous compost.

The thick mass of roots form a trunk, which can eventually reach about 6m (20ft) in the wild. The foliage appears in spring from the top of the trunk, unfurling from the centre to open up into large, rich green fronds. This particular variety has been given the RHS Award of Garden Merit (AGM), which is for plants of outstanding excellence.

St Bridget Nurseries have lots of ferns in stock along with other unusual and exotic plants such as bananna plants so start your jungle garden today.