Sphaeropteris cooperi ~ Australian Tree Fern

Australian Tree Fern is a massive tree-like fern that starts with a clumping form and develops a thick fuzzy trunk as it begins to grow upward.  The huge bright green lacy fronds gracefully arch from the trunk.  Grows best in part shade and rich, moist well-drained soils.  Australian Tree Fern's growth can be slowed with potting.  Treat as an annual if left outside in areas with hard frost.  Type:  Fern, Annual Height:  15' - 25+' (Potted) Spread:  10' - 12' Spacing:  10' USDA Hardiness Zone:  8 - 11 Culture:  Full Sun, Part Sun, Full Shade Bloom Color:  N/A Season of Interest:  Multi-Seasonal MAINTENANCE NEEDS:  Low maintenance plant.  Requires high humidity- do not let soils dry out, and keep the trunk moist as well to promote a healthy plant.  Susceptible to root rot in poorly drained soils.  NOTE: The fronds produce large amounts of spores in spring, do not use if have asthma.  TO SLOW GROWTH: when grown in a container, repot every year until reaches size wanted to maintain then stop repotting. LANDSCAPE USES:  Accents or Group Plantings, Borders, Woodland Gardens, Greenhouses, Patios , and Containers. COMPANION PLANTS: Coral Bells, Hosta, Heucherella IMAGES: Photo by High Forests, cyathea cooperi, (2) Magnus Manske, P1130590 Cyathea cooperi, CC BY-SA 3.0, (3) Photo by David J. Stang, Cyathea cooperi 29zz, CC BY-SA 4.0 *As plants have ranges in appearance they may not appear as the images shown.