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.
ReplyDelete