Hello from Cornwall

[fern Rob]

C Australis may be a good Cyathea to start growing as I think it would need less protection in winter than Cyatheas like C Copperii and Medullaris.

[samj]

Thanks... I'll look into the C.Ausralis.

My In-laws have tried C.Medullaris outside a few times and not had any success, but the ones on Tresco are by no doubt the best tree ferns I've ever seen.

[fern Rob]

Imported C Australis are hard to get hold of, I think Trevena cross have some.

[samj]

Thats handy, they are only a couple of miles from my house! I'll have a look next time I am in there..

Sam

[multim]

Yup, Trevena Cross is the place to go. This is where my C.Australis came from 3 years ago for £80. Sorry about all the shade protection but it's been fierce sunshine and pretty hot here for the past three weeks. Currently 27c which is cool by comparison.

[samj]

Drove past Trevenna Cross this morning and had to have a look. Each one looked quite different from the other, some had twisty / bendy trunks. The plant labels suggested that they can be as hardy as Dicksonia Antartica.. I am now very tempted to get one, my main problem would be finding it a sheltered position (we are very exposed where we are).

Multim: how much trunk has yours grown in that time? Im guessing that they grow more quickly than the Dicksonias.

[fern Rob]

I have found that they grow at the same speed as Dicksonia antarctica.

[Half Hardy]

Welcome samj.Love the indivisas

[multim]

I guess that it's grown about 3 inches in 3 years. The frond/stem size is much reduced from those found in ideal situations, about 30% less than in the polytunnel at Trevena. I bring mine in for the Winter and it retains last years fronds well. If it was a D.A. last years fronds would have gone brown and scruffy. Another bonus is that is doesn't shed spores like a D.A.

[fern Rob]

One of my C Australis sheds millions of spores in the winter

[SueW]

Hi samj, You're not that far from me, in Troon. We're pretty exposed too and get our fair share of wind and mist up here. Although my garden's very small and still got a lot of planting and growing to do I'm loving the challenge.

I can see the potential in your plot.... it's going to look fantastic methinks!

[samj]

Hi SueW. It will be good to compare notes. I think with all the mizzle and mild temperatures, we are in an interesting area for gardening.

[SueW]

LOL yes, mizzle's the word for today.... at least it's topping up the water butts!

My garden's only very tiny; I'm hoping to create a pocket paradise in time though. This autumn should see the start of a bit of a re-jig, getting shot of the lawn (more planting space!) and re-directing the path to make it more of a meander. My trouble is, I need some height and growth in the garden. I have Trachycarpus and cordy, but they're still very small. I have a musa in the corner that's putting on some growth, but still the fence looks bare and... fencey! Luckily, time will change all that.

[SueW]

In fact I had a quick scribble over a photo, on the computer... two ideas, one with straight borders and one more curvy...

[fern Rob]

The plans look great.