Dicksonia antarctica

Dicksonia antarctica Leaf (18/02/2012, Kew Gardens, London)

Position: Partial to full shade

Flowering period: N/A

Soil: Moist, well drained

Eventual Height: 10m

Eventual Spread: 6m

Hardiness: 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b, 11

Family: Dicksoniaceae

Dicksonia antarctica is a slow growing  (1cm to 10cm per year)large evergreen fern which forms a erect ‘trunk’. Its glossy dark green leaves are fronds, deeply divided (three times), roughly textured and are up to 3m long. Its trunk is formed of erect rhizomes, the decaying remains of earlier growth and fibrous matted roots. This fern produces one sorus per lobe and are found on the underside of fertile fronds. Its roots are fibrous and found down the length of the ‘trunk’ and provide anchorage to the soil.

Dicksonia antarctica (09/02/2013, Kew Gardens, London)

Dicksonia antarctica, commonly known as Soft Tree Fern, Hardy Tree Fern, Australian Tree Fern or Tasmanian Tree Fern, is native to coastal regions of east Australia, including Tasmania. In its native habitat it grows on damp, sheltered woodland slope and occasionally in cloud forests. All tree ferns entering the UK are harvested under license and will be certificated.

The etymological root of the binomial name Dicksonia is named after James Dickson (1738 – 1822), a British nurseryman. Antarctica is derived form the Latin antarcticus meaning ‘southern’.

The landscape architect may find Dicksonia antarctica useful as a dramatic large fern. Adequate moisture needs to be provided to the whole plant to ensure the health of this fern. This fern also prefers a sheltered location.

Ecologically, Dicksonia antarctica is of little wildlife value in the UK.

Dicksonia antarctica Trunk (09/02/2013, Kew Gardens, London)

The Royal Horticultural Society has given Dicksonia antarctica their prestigious Award of Garden Merit in 1993.

Dicksonia antarctica prefers moist, humus rich, fertile, well-drained soils. It prefers an acid to neutral pH of soil. It will not tolerate dry soils.

Dicksonia antarctica requires little maintenance. Dead fronds may be removed to keep a tidy appearance.

Landscape Architecture

Pinus parviflora

Pinus parviflora (09/02/2013, Kew Gardens, London)

Position: Full sun

Flowering period: Late spring

Soil: Moist, well drained

Eventual Height: 17m

Eventual Spread: 17m

Hardiness: 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b

Family: Pinaceae

Pinus parviflora Leaf (09/02/2013, Kew Gardens, London)

Pinus parviflora is a slow growing evergreen coniferous tree with a spreading habit. Its green/ blue leaves are needle like, appear in bundles of 5 and up to 6cm long. Its grey bark is smooth on younger trees, becoming darker and scaly with age. Its flowers are in the form of small pollen cones. Its light brown fruit is a cone and up to 7cm long.

Pinus parviflora, commonly known as the Japanese White Pine or Japanese Five Needle Pine, is native to Japan.

Pinus parviflora Bark (09/02/2013, Kew Gardens, London)

The etymological root of the binomial name Pinus is the old classical name for ‘Pine tree’. Parviflora is derived from the Latin parvitas meaning ‘smallness’ and flora meaning ‘flower’.

The landscape architect may find Pinus parviflora useful as an attractive specimen tree. This tree is moderately salt tolerant. This tree is not attractive to deer.

Pinus parviflora Cone (09/02/2013, Kew Gardens, London)

Ecologically, Pinus parviflora is of little value to UK wildlife.

The Royal Horticultural Society has given the variety  Pinus parviflora ‘Adcock’s Dwarf’’ their prestigious Award of Garden Merit in 1993.

Pinus parviflora prefers moist, well-drained soils. It tolerates most pH of soil.

Pinus parviflora Pruned (02/04/2015, Tokyo, Japan)

Pinus parviflora requires little maintenance.

Tsuga canadensis

Tsuga canadensis (09/02/2013, Kew Gardens, London)

Position: Partial shade

Flowering period: Late spring

Soil: Moist, well drained

Eventual Height: 30m

Eventual Spread: 10m

Hardiness: 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b,7a, 7b, 8a, 8b

Family: Pinaceae

Tsuga canadensis is a long lived, slow growing coniferous evergreen tree with a broadly conical habit. Its dark green leaves needle shaped with serrulate margins, flattened, up to 25mm long. Its branches are horizontal and spreading. Its trunk may achieve a diameter of up to 1.5m. Its brownish bark is scaly and becomes deeply fissured with age. Its yellow monoecious flowers and appear at the branch tips. Its fruit are in the form of cones, are up to 25mm long and 15mm broad.

Tsuga canadensis, commonly known as Eastern Hemlock, Pruche du Canada or Canadian Hemlock, is native to eastern North America. It was introduced into the UK in 1736.

Tsuga canadensis Leaf (09/02/2013, Kew Gardens, London)

The etymological root of the binomial name Tsuga is from the Japanese vernacular for the Hemlock Cedar. Canadensis is derived from the Latin meaning ‘from Canada’.

The landscape architect may find Tsuga canadensis useful as an attractive evergreen tree, particularly for shady locations. It prefers a sheltered location and dislikes salt conditions.

Ecologically, Tsuga canadensis seed provide food for mammals and birds.

Tsuga canadensis Bark (09/02/2013, Kew Gardens, London)

Tsuga canadensis prefers moist, fertile, well-drained soils. It prefers a neutral to acidic pH of soil. It will not tolerate dry or waterlogged soils.

Tsuga canadensis requires little maintenance. This tree will withstand hard pruning.