I spotted this Tasmanian tree fern and this Chilean Gunnera growing side by side in a garden on our peninsula in the south west of Ireland.
We live on the Gulf Stream and it is remarkable what will grow in such a mild climate.
Tree ferns or man ferns go for astronomical prices. You can buy small ones for about 30 Euros.
If you go to Kells over on the ring of Kerry there is a tree fern forest, garden centre and their head gardener recently won a gold at Chelsea flower show. I think they also " put you up" or accommodate you even and there's a restaurant. I have been there once and featured it here on my humble blog. Way back in 2015. It's on my blog search.
The tree ferns were originally used for convict ship ballast returning to Blighty after dropping off deportees in Van Diemen's Land. The ships returning were empty so they cut down tree ferns and used them for ballast for the long sea journey back to Falmouth.
On return. They threw the plants into the bay and some people planted them in their estate gardens. Amazingly they grew and have aerial roots and people started collecting them.
Gunnera originate in Chile and Brazil. They look like giant rhubarb and their leaves and stalks go brown in Autumn and they do not like frost. Fuschia is also a Chile native and it grows profusely here in West Cork. I have also seen growing happily in Devon and Cornwall.
It was good to see to two plants from different continents growing side by side.
Would you have them in your garden? I would love a tree fern.
I don't grow either, garden is too small, I'm not a fan of ferns, I don't have any shady spots in the growing section of our garden. In the right setting both look great.
ReplyDeleteHi Marlene. I think these big specimens look great in the right setting. We have some great natural growing ferns here. Although I never handle them without gloves. I believe the fronds can be cancerous. Whether or not this is true. I handle them with caution. Did you see any tree ferns in the Jungle at Heligan? It's over 27 years since I last visited there. I can't remember them.
ReplyDeleteHeligans lost garden had loads of huge plants, it was the perfect setting for them, the walk ways were set out so at one point you can look down at them.
DeleteYes it's a magical happy sad place Marlene. The gardeners graffiti on the bothy wall disturbed me. They went to fight in the great war and never returned and then Tim Smitt and his crew resurrected the garden back to it's former glory. I would love to live in an apartment in old Heligan house.
DeleteWe did have a Gunnera in our old garden but I never really liked it much. I wouldn't have one here now.
ReplyDeleteI love them for their architectural structure like features JayCee. Of course they look tatty when they are dying back. But yeah I do like them.
ReplyDeleteDave we have tree ferns all over (even deep south). If they grow in Fjordland and Tazzy then they will grow in Ireland. They aren't keen on direct sun (at least in early years) so need to be planted under orher trees. Funnily enough i prepared a nature Friday post for this week on tree ferns and it links lots of tree fern info from Te Papa website.
ReplyDeleteI look forward to reading your tree fern post TM. They won't grow in areas where they get lots of frost.
DeleteYes. I would happily accommodate a tree fern here on the vast Pudding estate but gunnera plants can be massive in the summertime and I would have to say no to that one. Very odd looking plants when emerging in the springtime.
ReplyDeleteTree ferns are ancient and dinosaurs ate them YP. Gunnera are like giant rhubarb plants. You won't see them in the Yorkshire rhubarb triangle. I think they look magnificent in summer and pitiful in winter when they lie forlorn in their brown and rusty state of decomposition.
DeleteHow do you know that dinosaurs ate them? Were you there? I have seen gunnera growing in The Peak District.
DeleteI read ot on T'web and Tinternet YP. I bet you never saw no mountains in the Peak District?
DeleteThe "Peak" in Peak District refers to the people who lived there long ago.
DeleteOh! Like the dinosaurs.
DeleteThose look huge. I thought the surely would not grow here, but Tigger"s Mum's comment is interesting. I will be sure to read her post on Friday.
ReplyDeleteThe tree fern is about five foot high Debby. I also look forward to TM's post on Friday.
ReplyDeleteI would love a tree fern or 2. Far too hot here. Even the grape harvest got burnt this summer. 2025 will not be a vintage year
ReplyDeleteI am you remember tree ferns from when you lived in New Zealand Linda. Summers seem to be getting hotter in Europe. 42 degrees in France yesterday. Nothing could flourish at those temperatures.
ReplyDeleteThey are very impressive plants, but I wouldn't want one in my garden, even if I did have enough space.
ReplyDeleteTree ferns are wonderful Jules. They are so unusual almost from another world. Gunnera looks good in a big country estate house like Muckross House and gardens in Killarney. Their Gunner specimens are magnificent specimens. Thanks Jules.
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