Winter 2009/10

At the end of December I gave the Cyathea medullaris some light winter
protection of old fern fronds over their crowns, which looked rather
attractive I thought, like scruffy birds nests.




































But then, with a run of freezing nights forecast, I decided to take no
chances this year, and wrapped them in fleece and sandbags. 
Hopefully this will suffice.

















































                      
On 9th Jan 2010 with no let up in this spell of freezing weather
some of the tree ferns are now exhibiting damage.
C.australis and C.smithii fronds are withering and
C.medullaris fronds are begining to wilt.

Cyathea smithii pictured below.










































11th January and some of the tree ferns are looking
the worse for wear.
Below C.medullaris exhibiting frond damage.









































Blechnum magellanicum still looking very fresh and healthy
in the snow (pictured below).









































This small plant of Dicksonia fibrosa
unaffected by the cold.



























14th January saw further deterioration of C.medullaris fronds.









































Surrounding plants of D.antarctica, Lophosoria quadripinnata,
D.fibrosa, D.sellowiana and Blechnum discolor
all doing fine.
Growing in a very sheltered spot, a tiny D.youngiae shown
below, was untouched by the cold weather.