Plants by mail order since 1984, over 4100 plants online today!
6th January 2021. In line with the current government lockdown rules, Burncoose Nurseries is closed to visitors. However at present we are able to offer click and collect to local customers. This will be weekdays only, not weekends.
Mail order is continuing as normal. However please allow extra time for the couriers to deliver, once despatched from us. Sorry to say that some depots are experiencing high volumes of traffic, also staff shortages.

DICKSONIA antarctica
Commonly known as Man fern, Soft tree fern
This attractive architectural plant thrives in cool moist shaded woodland
Further Reading....
- Details
- Mature Size
- Tips and Advice
- Goes Well With
- Planting Combinations
- Other Suggestions
- See Also...
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Evergreen - large, dark-green, roughly-textured fronds.
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Height - 6m (20ft) though very slow growing.
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Spread - 4m (13ft)
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Fern - single-stemmed tree fern.
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Tall Shrub
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Half hardy - unheated greenhouse / mild winter - Hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK except in severe winters and a risk from sudden (early) frosts. May be hardy elsewhere with wall shelter or good micro-climate. Likely to be damaged or killed in cold winters. Plant can withstand temperatures down to -5°C (23°F)
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Full shade
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Partial shade - thrives in filtered sunlight.
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Additional Features - Architectural interest -
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Good to know - plants under 1.2m (4ft) require management for protection. See link on DICKSONIA page.
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Pests & Diseases - none
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Place of origin - eastern Australia, Tasmania.
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Garden Location/Conditions - Bog garden -
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Greenhouse / conservatory - Not the sort of plants to be grown outside where there are likely to be frosts. These plants need to be grown in a conservatory or cool greenhouse or at least brought inside for the winter
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Woodland garden
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Hardiness - Frost hardy (down to -5) -
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Leaf form - Bipinnate - see photos above
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Seasonal Interest - Autumn -
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Spring
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Summer
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Winter
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Soil Conditions - Acid / ericaceous loving -
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Tolerates all - humus-rich.
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Wet or boggy soil
Dicksonia antartica - Care Guide
6m (20ft) though very slow growing.
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4m (13ft) |
Useful extras...

Fertilisers & Feeds - Vitax
Q4 Pelleted Fertiliser
A useful fertiliser suitable for use on a wide variety of plants. Q4 provides all the nutrients and trace elements essential for vigorous growth, abundant flowering and ripening of fruit.
3 options from £6.00

Fertilisers & Feeds - Empathy
Ericaceous Liquid Seaweed Fertiliser
Specially developed organic concentrated seaweed feed for ericaceous plants that is a ready to use, derived from sustainable harvested kelp, that can be used on all outdoor and indoor plants,
Perfect used in conjunction with Rootgrow™ Ericoid.
Only £7.50

Garden Goodies
Slate Plant Labels
These wonderfully tactile natural slate plant labels are hand made in Cornwall and come with a chalk pen.
Just stick them in your pot or border. Pack of 6.
Only £10.20

Garden Goodies
Slate Tie-on Plant Labels
Hand made in Cornwall, these delightful natural slate labels are perfect for pots.
Comes with chalk pen. Pack of 5
Only £10.20