Dicksonia fibrosa

Origin: New Zealand

This is a smaller species of the Dicksonia genus from New Zealand (North Island, South Island and Chatham Island) that looks almost like a miniature of Dicksonia antarctica. It grows in formidably cold areas of New Zealand, at elevations up to 2,700'. The trunk develops rather slowly and attains a mature height of up to 6 metres. Its fronds closely resemble those of Dicksonia antarctica, but shorter, growing only 2m (5-7ft), and even more "plasticy." The hairs on the stipes do not have quite such a reddish look, but more of a golden-brown. The rachis is a dark brown in contrast to the green rachis on Dicksonia antarctica.

The trunk as its species name is very fibrous and quite spongy to touch. Also another way that I have used to determine a fibrosa is to put a frond between your 2 hands and it will have a more prickly, crispy feel to it in comparision to Dicksonia antarctica.

Dicksonia fibrosa is very beautiful and easy to grow. It will do well in a site with morning sun and afternoon shade, but tolerates quite a bit of sun in cool climates such as Ireland and Britain. Due to the fronds being smaller than Dicksonia antarctica it is more suitable to the smaller garden or a courtyard setting.

In my opinion this Tree Fern is just as hardy as its more celebrated cousin, Dicksonia antarctica. In fact I reckon the fronds are actually more resilient to the cold and will usually last as an evergreen plant right through the winter.
They are also quite wind tolerant. Having said that I always place some organic matter, usually pine needles, into the crown over the winter period to protect it from freezing over in case of very low temperatures.

This is the tree fern to try out if you already have some Dicksonia antarctica.
You will be rewarded in time with a stunning tree fern. It will take a number of years to reach it's true potential though, but worth the wait.

Origin : New Zealand
Common Name : Wheki-Ponga
Hardy scale : Hardy to below -10 Celsius

Size (feet) Size (cm)	Price	Availability
Young plants - no trunk	€ 12.00	available
.5 foot trunk (15cm)	€ 30.00	available
1 foot trunk (30cm)	€ 50.00	available
2 foot trunk (60cm)	€ 100.00	available
3 foot trunk (90cm)	€ 160.00	available
4 foot trunk (120cm)	€ 225.00	available

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