PRIME HEDGES
hedge plantsTree Ferns, Palms & Olives
For a touch of rainforest in your garden, try growing something different from Tree Ferns and Olives to Palm Trees in various sizes.
Tree Ferns with their giant fronds can reach 1.8m in length are made up of classic fern leaflets. The trunks of tree ferns are rough, woody and fibrous. Suitable for most sheltered regions of the UK, they offer huge fronds of filigree foliage at the top of a rough-textured robust trunk. Grow them in the open garden or in containers on a shady patio.
Olives provide a distinct stand out focal point in any garden with the gnarled trunks and silvery, evergreen leaves of the olive tree have shaped the sun-kissed landscape of the Mediterranean for thousands of years. Evergreen shrub or tree with a short, twisted trunk and narrow, leathery leaves. The small, whitish flowers grow in clusters and the egg-shaped fruit consist of a hard stone surrounded by an edible flesh.
Palms are bold, exciting plants add impact to any garden. They make eye-catching features, especially in modern urban plots, and bring a tropical touch or holiday feel to any outdoor space. Most prefer a warm, sheltered spot, in conditions similar to their homelands, although some palms will withstand temperatures down to -12°C They may need a little more cossetting than most trees, but are well worth the effort.
Palm trees are grown for their dramatic fan-shaped leaves, although some may also flower and possibly even produce fruit. Other exotic trees may put on colourful flower displays and have lush, tropical foliage.
Most prefer a warm, sheltered site, and dry conditions in winter. They are often happy growing in containers, which can be moved into a sheltered spot during the colder months. Botanically speaking, palms are not true trees – they are large woody herbs, closely related to grasses and bamboos.
Likes
A sheltered position in a soil rich in organic matter in part-shade. A north or northeast facing position is ideal. Tree ferns grow well in neutral to slightly acidic soils. They love humidity in summer, so keeping their trunk and crown well watered is important.
Dislikes
Avoid planting tree ferns in windy areas or where the temperature may drop below -5°C. They will not thrive if their trunks or crowns dry out in summer. Extreme cold and winter wet can easily kill these exotic beauties, so give them the warmest spot in your garden. Be prepared to wrap them for protection overwinter from frost, at least until they’re well established.
