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Ferns

Alsophila tricolor

silvery tree fern

A frost-tender, evergreen tree fern eventually reaching up to 10m tall with a slender, dark brown stem bearing terminal clusters of arching, divided, mid- to dark green fronds up to 3m long which, when mature, are coloured underneath silvery-grey

Synonyms

Cyathea dealbata

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Ultimate height

8–12 metres

Time to ultimate height

20–50 years

Ultimate spread

2.5–4 metres

Loam

Sand

Moisture

Moist but well–drained

pH

Acid, Neutral

	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Partial shade

Aspect

North–facing or West–facing or East–facing

Exposure

Sheltered

Hardiness
Hardiness ratings
All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets
H1a: under glass all year (>15C)
H1b: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1c: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)

Botanical details

Family: Cyatheaceae
Native to GB / Ireland: No
Foliage: Evergreen
Habit: Columnar upright
Genus: A genus of tree ferns, native to the tropics and subtropics, with upright stems and large, dark green fronds on top of the stems
Name status: Correct

How to grow

Cultivation

In areas prone to frost, grow in a container under glass with a minimum winter temperature of 10°C. The plant may be placed outside during the summer in a sheltered and partially-shaded spot. It requires a moist but well-drained, humus-rich soil; in hot, dry summers water the stem as well as the soil, but avoid watering the crown in winter. Apply liquid fertiliser monthly during the growing season. Will grow without winter protection only in milder areas. See tree fern cultivation for further advice

Propagation

Propagate by sowing spores as soon as ripe

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Architectural
Coastal
City and courtyard gardens
Flower borders and beds

Pruning

Dead or damaged fronds may be removed as necessary

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free

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