Cyathea australis

Origin: Australia

A superb Tree Fern from the forests of Southeast Australia (and Tasmania and Norfolk Island) comes this medium to large sized tree fern. In the wild it inhabits moist mountain areas in Victoria, New South Wales, and Queensland, and is often found growing in the company of Dicksonia antarctica but preferring more sunny open spots.

It has a large, rough, woody trunk with long weeping dark green fronds that are pale green underneath. Trunk sizes have been found to grow up to as high as 20 metres! It's common name, the Rough Tree Fern, comes from the extremely rough texture of the remaining stipe bases on the trunk. This name is well founded as I can testify have grappled with them when planting and emptying conatiners!

This characteristic of the trunk gives this hardy tree fern a very striking appearance in comparision to Dicksonia antarctica.

Cyathea australis is adaptable to a variety of soil types and make an ideal garden or tub plant. As with most Tree Ferns it likes plenty of water but tolerates considerable exposure to direct sunlight and is more resistant to strong wind than Dicksonia antarctica.

In Australia it grows in more exposed sites than Dicksonia antarctica and is potentially as hardy although developing fronds appear somewhat more sensitive to frost. In the colder parts of Ireland winter protection of the trunk is recommended and as with all Tree Ferns the crown should be filled with straw, leaves or as in my case pine needles.

This is a big favourite of mine and is highly recommended for those who want to add a new Tree Fern species to their collection. I have absolutely no problem with this plant. The new croziers are a delight to watch unfurl around April to May time.

Picture of group of 3 large trunked Cyathea australis planted in 2006 in my garden in Kells, Co Kerry.

Origin : South East Austrailia
Common Name : Rough Tree Fern
Hardy scale : Hardy to below -8 Celsius

Size (feet) Size (cm)	Price	Availability
1 foot trunk (30cm)	€ 70.00	available
2 foot trunk (60cm)	€ 140.00	available
3 foot trunk (90cm)	€ 210.00	available
4 foot trunk (120cm)	€ 300.00	available
5 foot trunk (150cm)	€ 400.00	available
Available in small quantities only

May 2008 News Update -

New stock of Juania australis, Agave montana, Agave gentryi, Trachycarpus wagnerianus, Trachycarpus martianus 'Nepal Form' and many more.

Xanthorrhoea glauca GrassTree -

Picture of X. glauca in my garden 2005

X. glauca Grasstree - Prices start at €275.00

Dicksonia fibrosa Tree Fern carvings now available -

Sample photo of carving that we have in stock:

Beautiful, natural, sculptures in many forms from Dicksonia fibrosa and Black Mamaku