The green and rolling countryside of Worcestershire, England, is home to the cider apple orchards which surround the gardens of Pear Tree Cottage. They enjoy a sunny south westerly aspect with sweeping views across to Martley Hillside, Woodbury and Abberley clock tower. The Teme Valley lies just over the hill and, not far away, is the Herefordshire border. Although our climate is temperate, our seasons are often uncertain and always a challenge to a gardener! This began in 2010 & follows the weekly ups and downs of garden work chronicling both successes and failures but, above all, demonstrates the fun enjoyed by three people who regularly garden in all weathers

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16 May 2018

Winter Survivor Thriving!!

Dicksonia antarctica thriving after its first winter in the ground!

The tree fern has not just survived its very first winter outdoors and in the ground but is looking really healthy. We planted it out early summer last year and watered it well all season. In late autumn we really wrapped it up well with underfelt, its own fronds, straw, an inverted pot tray (to keep water out of its crown) and finally the top layer: a coffee sack! 

It just became tooooooo heavy to keep lifting in and out of the greenhouse! In fact, it wasn't just a case of lifting in and out. Because of the huge spread of fronds it needed to be elevated so that space beneath could be utilised.

On trend tree fern winter wear!

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