DICKSONIA antarctica 30cm

Dicksonia antarctica, the soft tree fern, brings a bold, architectural presence with its fibrous trunk and a graceful crown of large, fresh-green fronds. Suited to Ireland’s cool, moist conditions, it thrives in partial to full shade with shelter from cold, drying winds. Plant in a humus-rich, moisture-retentive but well-drained soil that is neutral to acidic, and keep evenly moist—especially watering into the crown during dry spells. Provide a deep organic mulch and protect the crown in hard frosts. Over time it forms a striking focal point for shaded borders, woodland-style plantings and courtyards, lending a lush, exotic texture year-round in mild areas.

To help give a clear sense of scale, the stone wall shown in our photos measures approximately 265cm in height. We also use familiar garden tools as visual references: a digging fork (110cm tall) and a hand fork (30cm tall). These are included purely as size guides to help you better judge proportions when viewing the images.

Position: Partial shade to full shade; sheltered from wind

Rate of Growth: Slow

Soil: Moist, humus-rich, well-drained; neutral to acidic

Hardiness: Protect the crown in hard frosts; best with winter protection in colder areas of Ireland

Plant at a Glance