How to care for your tree fern

Making up the Cyatheales group of ferns, Tree Ferns are groups of plants which take on a tree-like form and can grow -with the right care- up to 20 metres tall. Slow growing and striking in appearance they are ideal for placement in a sheltered and shady garden with plenty of space to thrive, as the plant can often spread.

We are excited about the arrival of our new batch of Tree Ferns at the end of this week and to celebrate we thought we would give you a comprehensive guide on how to care for yours to ensure that they flourish in your garden all year round.

As slow-growing plants that can increase at almost one inch per year you may want to consider purchasing a fern with a longer length of trunk to ensure it fills the space that you want to satisfy.

What to look for?

Look for healthy and undamaged crowns with new fronds of leaf and a well developed root system that is likely to adapt quickly to your garden, you will spot this by how robust the roots are in the container, don’t pick one that sits loose.

Ensure that the plant is completely pest free and has no aphids or scales on the leaves, ferns need to have a good start in life, so this is vital. Also make sure that your fern is good shape, this is especially important if it has been dug out of a pine forest.

Where and how to plant?

Our ferns generally flourish in full or half shaded gardens so avoid direct sunlight as this can dry the plant out. However, ensure that it is likely to get some and is not completely in the shade and protected from the wind.

If you have an outdoor tap and connected hose, perhaps consider planting near here. As your fern will need a lot of water.

Make sure that your soil is well drained upon planting and consider adding organic matter to help the new plant establish itself while providing an easy way for the roots to grow.

If your soil is heavier or made up of clay components then you will more than likely need to dig a hole that is twice the size of the container the fern comes in and line it with compost to improve drainage and conditions for the plant.

Feed and water

The trunk and crown of a tree fern will not withstand drying out so require regular and efficient watering, so make sure the plant remains damp and during hotter conditions, spray the trunk with water.

Unless you live in the wetter parts of the UK you will need to keep on top of watering and you will soon see newer fronds appearing perhaps 4 weeks after planting. 

Don’t feed your fern initially, once established look to feed the plant with liquid high nitrogen fertiliser, diluted as required once a month when the plant is in growth from mid-spring to summer, this will stimulate natural growth. 

Winter care

It is likely your plant will lose its fronds over the winter months, but this is natural and to be expected.

Prepare for winter forts by using our top tip of pushing hay into the crown for insulation on the immediate onset of colder temperatures, this will encourage fresh fronds to grow as spring approached by which time the hay will have rotted away and bestowed nutrients into the ferns growth serving two purposes at once. 

In the more severe winters consider Hessian blankets and wrap these around the trunk for further warmth.

Containers

Tree ferns can be grown in containers, pots, and in greenhouses as long as there is filtered light and only moderate humidity – use loam-based compost and adding fertilizer once a week droning growing season.

Many of our tree ferns are imported from Australia and are truly stunning additions to any garden. We are expecting new batch on July 31st and these can be ordered online however fronds will be removed prior to dispatch. We also offer wholesale prices for our ferns.

Or, why not come and browse our full range in person and see these truly beautiful plants for yourself? Our nursery is situated in Leicestershire. Contact us today for more information on our nursery plants.