Hardy Tropicals UK

pdid wrote:I'd hazard a guess at dicksonia fibrosa, but it would be a guess. Someone else will be along to confirm or shoot me down soon!

The acid test is to give a frond a gentle squeeze. D. fibrosa has a distinctly "crunchy" feel. D. antarctica is soft.

multim wrote: I would say minus 8c is about it's limit. In Cornwall, sure these will do better, but not inland when Winters such as 2009 remained sub-zero day and night.

I agree, around minus 8, coupled with daytime temps of minus 4, killed mine dead. Shame as it was a 10-footer. In such conditions it probably doesn't matter whether you fleece them or not, that level of cold will eventually freeze any moisture in the centre of the trunk solid.

I agree, hit even the hardiest tree fern with a combination of day and night sub zero, without artificial heat they will eventually freeze through and die.

My Dicksonia antarctica survived -19 and below in winter 2010,but was well covered in fleece, but tempratures didn't rise above freezing for days.