Insights
Planting and Caring for Tree Ferns (Ponga)
Tree ferns, or ponga, are one of the signature plants of the New Zealand landscape, and they are more adaptable in the garden than many people expect. The key to success is remembering that a tree fern takes much of its moisture in through the trunk, not only through the roots. That single fact shapes almost everything about how you plant and care for one.
Choose a position with shelter from strong wind and from the hottest afternoon sun, ideally with some overhead protection from taller plants or a building. When planting, firm the base in well so the fern is stable, then water both the soil and the trunk. Through the first summer in particular, keep the trunk damp, as a newly moved fern is most vulnerable to drying out before its roots take hold.
Ongoing care is straightforward. Mulch around the base to conserve moisture, water in dry spells with attention to the crown and trunk, and remove old fronds as they brown off if you prefer a tidier look. Supplied in a pot or trough, a ponga is easy to position exactly where you want it before planting out. Looked after this way, tree ferns reward you with lush new fronds each season and a real sense of the bush brought into your own garden.