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Monty Don shared an Instagram image captioned “Dicksonia corner,” showing tree ferns in a shaded part of his garden. An Ideal Home report uses the image to highlight how the plants can add height, texture and screening to shady borders, while noting that they need consistently moist soil.
Monty Don’s Instagram photo of a garden corner planted with tree ferns has prompted fresh advice on using the plants to add height and dense foliage to shady borders. In a report, Ideal Home describes the image, captioned “Dicksonia corner,” as an example of how these architectural ferns can bring structure to areas where many flowering plants may struggle.
The photograph shows tree ferns with large, feathery fronds at different heights, in what Ideal Home describes as a shadier area of Don’s garden. The report identifies the plants as Dicksonia and says their layered growth can add texture and a sense of depth to a border. It presents the image as inspiration rather than a formal planting recommendation from Don.
Gary Farrell, a designer and founder of outdoor furniture brand Nth Degree, told Ideal Home that tree ferns can bring “lushness and scale” to shady corners. He said their broad fronds create drama and depth, and that the plants suit the dappled light found in many UK gardens. These are Farrell’s assessments; the report does not provide comparative trial data on how they perform against other plants.
The main care requirement highlighted is consistently moist soil. Ideal Home recommends using mulch around the base to help conserve moisture. The report also says tree ferns are hardy down to -5°C and can remain evergreen in milder parts of the UK, while their foliage may not be retained in colder conditions. It does not specify how those claims vary by cultivar or local growing conditions.
Adding Structure to Shady Borders
For gardeners trying to fill a shady or dappled-light corner, tree ferns offer a way to add vertical scale and substantial foliage rather than relying only on smaller shade-loving plants. Their form can also help create screening and visual depth, according to the Ideal Home report, making them relevant to gardens where a boundary or bare area needs more cover.
The trade-off is ongoing attention to water. A tree fern may suit a shaded border, but a site that dries out frequently could make it harder to maintain the moist soil the report says the plants prefer. The image illustrates a design possibility, not proof that the same planting will thrive in every garden; local exposure, drainage and winter temperatures will affect results.
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What the Dicksonia Photo Shows
Ideal Home’s report focuses on a post from Monty Don’s Instagram page, captioned “Dicksonia corner.” It describes ferns of varying heights and uses them to discuss ways of building a lush, layered look in a shaded garden. The source does not give the photograph’s date, identify the exact location within Don’s garden or provide a detailed planting plan.
The article also mentions Dicksonia antarctica, a tree fern sold as a log by YouGarden with specialist fern feed. YouGarden says new fronds will unfurl within weeks, as reported by Ideal Home; that timing is a retailer claim, not a guarantee for every plant or growing environment. The article’s practical suggestions include soaking the trunk before planting and mulching around the base, but it does not set out a full care schedule.
“Tree ferns bring a lushness and scale that few other plants can match, especially in shadier corners where most flowering plants struggle.”
— Gary Farrell, designer and founder of Nth Degree, quoted by Ideal Home
How Conditions Affect Fern Growth
The source does not specify when Don posted the image, the precise growing conditions in the pictured corner, or which tree fern varieties are shown. It also does not explain how the reported -5°C hardiness applies across different locations, exposure levels or periods of cold. Gardeners should not treat that figure as a guarantee that a fern will keep its foliage or survive every winter.
Ideal Home says new fronds on the YouGarden product may unfurl within weeks, citing the retailer, but does not state the conditions or timeframe behind that estimate. The report offers no independent evidence for the claim. It also does not quantify how much watering or mulching is needed, so the precise care requirements remain dependent on the garden and plant.
Check the Site Before Planting
For readers considering a tree fern, the practical next step is to check whether the intended spot is shaded or dappled and whether its soil can be kept consistently moist. The report suggests mulching around the base to reduce moisture loss, while noting that tree ferns are not among the lowest-maintenance ferns.
Ideal Home does not announce a new project or follow-up from Don. The immediate development is the use of his Instagram photograph as gardening inspiration; any planting decision will depend on local conditions and the care a gardener can provide.
Key Questions
What did Monty Don share?
Ideal Home reports that Don shared an Instagram photograph captioned “Dicksonia corner,” showing tree ferns in a shaded part of his garden.
Why use tree ferns in a shady garden?
The report says their large, architectural fronds can add height, texture and visual depth to shady borders, and may also provide screening.
What growing conditions do tree ferns need?
According to Ideal Home, tree ferns prefer consistently moist soil. The report suggests mulching around the base to help retain moisture.
Will tree ferns stay evergreen in the UK?
The report says they can remain evergreen in milder parts of the UK and describes them as hardy down to -5°C. It does not guarantee foliage retention or survival in every location or winter.
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