Tree ferns are sturdy and impressive plants that have become a staple part of tropical planting schemes and exotic gardens in the UK, generally shipped all the way over from Tasmania. However, they tend to grow in conditions that may be challenging to other plants – making it a hassle trying to fill up your garden with plants that bring out the beauty of the ferns you planted.

Dicksonia antarctica - A must buy staple for the UK tropical gardenThat’s why we are here to provide an answer to the question “what should I underplant with tree ferns?” Keep reading and you’ll find out some tree fern companion plants and figure out which one suits you best. It’s hard working out what to plant with what, so hopefully we can help. 

But, before we start dropping names, we need to first talk about the conditions tree ferns prefer. This is important because what you decide to underplant with tree ferns needs to be able to thrive in similar conditions.

What Conditions Do Tree Ferns Thrive In?

This all depends on the type of tree fern you want to grow in your garden. So, you first need to figure out the tree fern’s species to determine its perfect growing conditions.

The good thing is that most tree ferns do just nicely growing in part shady, part sunny conditions with alkaline and moist soil. And luckily, a lot of other plants do great in these conditions.

What Plants Should You Underplant with Tree Ferns?

These lovely plants will not only thrive in the same conditions as a majority of tree ferns – they can handle almost every growing condition – but they are also stunning plants that will take your garden to a whole new level.

Underplanting tree ferns with…. other ferns!

Polystichum setiferum 'Herrenhausen' - Soft Sheild Fern

Polystichum setiferum ‘Herrenhausen’ – Soft Sheild Fern

Yep, sounds like a cop out but actually it’s one of my favourite ways to underplant a large tree fern. I have a number of different height ferns around the base of the main 6ft tree ferns, which offer a complementary texture and colour palette to the tree ferns themselves. If you’re not strapped for cash, adding smaller tree ferns under large tree ferns is literally the best look, albeit expensive! Personally with the varieties of ground level ferns available these days you can pick some gorgeous specimens up very cheaply. 

Underplanting Tree ferns with Hostas and caladiums.

Caladiums and hostas both share the same growing conditions as the tree fern, part shade and fairly damp, so they are right at home. Similar to normal ferns, there is so much choice for hostas and caladiums you really can just choose whatever takes your fancy.

Underplanting Large Tree ferns with Canna Stuttgart

This is one of my go to underplanting ideas I have been doing for a few years now. Cannas are not something you’d think of to grow in shaded areas under tree ferns, as cannas much prefer a full blast of sunshine for max growth and height, however the Canna stuttgart is variegated, so having this plant out in the open always leads to leaf scorch. However, by planting in the shade of the tree fern you get to see the full glorious variegated leaves, contrasted against the textured trunk of the tree fern.

Planting Hellebore with tree ferns

Hosta Empress Wu (PBR)

Hosta Empress Wu (PBR)

These are beautiful and easy-to-maintain plants that look awesome in about any landscape you put them in. They are also mostly evergreen with gold and chartreuse-coloured foliage and serrated leaves coming out of sturdy and strong stems. More so, they have unique flowers with a bowl or saucer shape that are generally white with pink, maroon, and yellow speckles.

Hellebore plants thrive in those shady spots in your garden – they prefer the soil to be cool and moist. Plus, they can grow to about 1-3 feet in width and 1-8 feet in height.

Planting Lamprocapnos spectabilis (Bleeding Heart) with tree ferns

With heart-shaped pink or white flowers blooming from spring all the way to fall, bleeding heart plants have been a longtime companion plant for tree ferns. Even more, they thrive in the same growing conditions as ferns.

Their gorgeous flowers come from long sterns that enhance the visibility of the flowers. Plus, this beautiful plant can get to around 1-3 feet in width and 6 to 12 inches in height. Even better, they are low maintenance and easy to grow.

Epimedium grandiflorum (Barrenwort) planted under tree ferns

This is a fragile, part shade, part sun plant that looks deceivingly delicate. Barrenwort plants grow nicely in low-light conditions, unlike some other plants. 

Even more, they have beautifully coloured foliage that comes in either green and blue or purple and burgundy, with their flowers blooming in early spring. Also, their flowers are generally yellow, white, pink, orange, or red.

Barrenwort plants grow between 1-3 feet in width and 6-12 inches in height. More so, they make for great ground cover plants without competing for root space – making them a great option to underplant with tree ferns.

Wrapping It Up

So, we’ve been able to mention a few plants that you can underplant with tree ferns. Asides from what we’ve mentioned, you can also add plants like astilbe, heartleaf brunnera, and caladium plants to the list- they are all gorgeous to look at.

So, good luck underplanting any of these great tree fern companions!

LIST – Some examples of what to plant with a tree fern

Further Reading & Common Tree Fern Questions

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Last Modified: September 6, 2022