Tree ferns

longwalks1

Am considering 1 or 2 large (6ft tall-ish) tree ferns in the back garden but been told they take a lot of looking after and need wrapping/covering throughout the winter months, any advice or tips please?
They would really suit the garden theme, but dont want to spend a lot on them if they are going to be trouble to look after

Thank you in advance

I_have_spoken

I had one in Cambridgeshire, IIRC the third winter did for it, even covered in straw within a chicken-wire 'tube' as per the guidance.

If you are further south or in a big city with it's own climate, I'd say risk it as the do look suburb.

Of course, if you can bring into a conservatory or have a greenhouse you should be OK in a big pot, as with a Musa Basjoo banana

Arthog

We are in Cambridgeshire too. They were all the rage some years ago, costing around £50 each if I remember rightly. They had to be wrapped up for the Winter and there were articles in magazines and newspapers about how to care for them.
It must be significant that they have all now disappeared!

Money_maker

Theres no way you are or ever would be able to get a 6' tall one for £50, that sort of money will probably get you 1-2 ft.

alanobrien

I planted out several large dicksonia antarctica tree ferns ranging in size from 2ft to 8ft over 10 years ago. They need feeding/watering into the growing point in summer. In winter i wrap the growing point with fleece and that's it until spring. Not really difficult to look after at all.