{"title":"Plants for Shade \u0026 Woodland","description":"\u003cp\u003ePlants that thrive out of direct sun, for shady borders, north-facing beds and woodland corners.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"fatsia-japonica-spiders-web","title":"Fatsia japonica 'Spiders Web'","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFatsia japonica 'Spider's Web'\u003c\/strong\u003e is one of the most striking evergreen shrubs you can grow for shade, and a real talking point in any garden. This variegated form of the classic \u003cem\u003efatsia japonica\u003c\/em\u003e takes the bold, glossy, hand-shaped leaves of the species and dusts them with a fine spray of white speckling, heaviest at the leaf margins and fading towards the centre, exactly as though a spider had been busy overnight. No two leaves are quite the same, and the effect lights up the darkest, dampest corners where little else will thrive.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA standout among hardy exotics, \u003cstrong\u003espiders web fatsia\u003c\/strong\u003e brings a lush, almost tropical presence to UK gardens while shrugging off cold that would see off many tender lookalikes. The large palmate leaves give wonderful architectural structure year-round, and in autumn mature plants produce curious creamy-white drumstick flowers, much loved by late-foraging bees and other pollinators, followed by small black berries.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eHow and where to grow\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePosition is the key to keeping this \u003cstrong\u003evariegated fatsia japonica\u003c\/strong\u003e looking its best. It is happiest in partial or full shade; too much hot, direct sun can scorch the pale variegation, so a north- or east-facing aspect, or a sheltered spot dappled by taller plants, is ideal. Plant it in moist but well-drained soil enriched with plenty of organic matter. It is wonderfully unfussy about soil type, coping with chalk, clay, loam or sand across a range of pH.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHardiness:\u003c\/strong\u003e evergreen and reliably hardy across most of the UK once established\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eEventual size:\u003c\/strong\u003e a rounded, bushy shrub of around 1.5-2.5m tall and wide\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCare:\u003c\/strong\u003e shelter from cold drying winds; water well in the first seasons and in containers\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt excels in a large pot for a shady patio or courtyard, and pairs beautifully with ferns, hostas and other shade lovers. Whether you are after year-round structure or simply something a little different, \u003cstrong\u003efatsia japonica 'Spider's Web'\u003c\/strong\u003e delivers. Every plant we send out is nursery-grown and hand-selected, so it arrives healthy, well-rooted and ready to settle straight into your garden.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"GrowTropicals","offers":[{"title":"19cm","offer_id":41648540188716,"sku":"FATSJAPOSPIDWEB19","price":15.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"12cm","offer_id":42199237165100,"sku":"FATSJAPOSPIDWEB12","price":10.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0361\/9645\/0348\/files\/hkclyp-11.jpg?v=1701450165"},{"product_id":"cyathea-australis","title":"Cyathea cooperi","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCyathea cooperi\u003c\/strong\u003e, the lacy tree fern or Australian tree fern, is one of the most elegant exotics you can grow under glass or in a sheltered courtyard. Native to the warm, humid forests of eastern Australia, it carries a crown of finely divided, arching fronds atop a slender trunk patterned with the scars of old frond bases. It is a genuine architectural statement plant, lending an instant rainforest feel to conservatories, shaded patios and lush jungle-style planting schemes.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eWhat sets the lacy tree fern apart is its pace and poise. It is one of the faster-growing tree ferns, throwing up fresh, bright green fronds that unfurl in soft croziers and quickly build a generous, feathery canopy. The trunk is more slender and refined than that of the chunky Dicksonia, and the fine, pale scales scattered along the stem and frond bases give it the \"lacy\" character behind its common name.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eHow and where to grow it\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis is a tender fern, so positioning matters. Choose a sheltered, humid, partly to fully shaded spot away from cold winds and harsh midday sun, which can scorch the foliage. Plant into moist but well-drained, humus-rich soil on the acid to neutral side, and keep the crown reliably damp through the growing season, watering into the top of the trunk as well as the roots.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHardiness:\u003c\/strong\u003e frost-tender, tolerating only brief, light frost to around -3C\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePosition:\u003c\/strong\u003e partial to full shade, sheltered and humid\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eEventual size:\u003c\/strong\u003e 4-6m or more over many years in frost-free conditions, far smaller in a pot\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003eBecause it will not survive a typical UK winter outdoors, most growers treat \u003cstrong\u003eCyathea cooperi\u003c\/strong\u003e as a container plant, standing it out for summer and moving it into a frost-free conservatory, greenhouse or porch before the cold arrives. Searches for \u003cstrong\u003eCyathea cooperi UK\u003c\/strong\u003e and \u003cstrong\u003eCyathea cooperi for sale\u003c\/strong\u003e have grown steadily as gardeners discover just how lush and rewarding it is with a little winter care.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eEvery plant we send out is nursery-grown, healthy and carefully selected, ready to bring a touch of the Antipodean rainforest to your own collection of hardy and tender exotics.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"GrowTropicals","offers":[{"title":"12cm","offer_id":41999594618924,"sku":"CYATHEAAUSTRALIS12","price":15.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0361\/9645\/0348\/files\/hok-26.jpg?v=1698416490"},{"product_id":"dicksonia-antarctica-tree-fern","title":"Dicksonia antarctica | Tree Fern","description":"\u003cp\u003eFew plants bring instant drama to a shady corner like the tree fern. \u003cem\u003eDicksonia antarctica\u003c\/em\u003e is the hardiest and most popular tree fern in cultivation, prized for its sturdy fibrous trunk and magnificent crown of arching, deeply divided green fronds. A living link to the age of the dinosaurs, it lends a lush, prehistoric, almost rainforest atmosphere to gardens, courtyards and city plots across the UK. It holds the RHS Award of Garden Merit, a reliable mark of garden-worthiness, and is a cornerstone of any hardy exotic planting scheme.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eWhy gardeners love it\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBold architectural silhouette that anchors a tropical or jungle-style border\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eEvergreen fronds up to 2m long radiating from a single woody trunk\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGenuinely hardy, thriving outdoors in most of Britain with minimal winter protection\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eEqually at home in the ground or in a large container\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003eWhen you buy a tree fern, remember the trunk is the plant's lifeline: it is actually a mass of old leaf bases and roots that drinks in moisture, so water down the trunk as well as into the soil. Choose a sheltered, lightly shaded position away from harsh sun and cold drying winds. \u003cem\u003eDicksonia antarctica\u003c\/em\u003e is happy in any reasonable soil, including chalk, clay, loam and sand, as long as it stays moist but well-drained and rich in leaf mould. It tolerates acid, neutral and alkaline conditions alike.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eGrowth is famously slow, often just a few centimetres of trunk a year, so the specimen you receive will hold its stature for a long time. In cold spells protect the central crown by packing the top with dry straw or horticultural fleece, and wrap the trunk in the harshest winters; gardeners in milder, coastal areas often leave plants unprotected. Established plants shrug off frost down to around -5 to -8C, making this one of the most dependable tree ferns for sale in the UK.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eEvery tree fern we send out is a healthy, well-rooted specimen, carefully selected and packed to arrive ready to settle straight into your garden or favourite pot.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"GrowTropicals","offers":[{"title":"12cm","offer_id":42811122352172,"sku":"DICKSONANTAR12","price":12.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0361\/9645\/0348\/files\/dicksonia.jpg?v=1709843140"},{"product_id":"polystichum-lepidocaulon","title":"Polystichum lepidocaulon","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePolystichum lepidocaulon\u003c\/strong\u003e, the Japanese tassel fern, is one of the most quietly architectural ferns you can grow outdoors in Britain. Native to the woodlands of Japan, Korea and China, it forms a neat clump of arching, leathery fronds in a deep, glossy green that holds firm right through the colder months. As an \u003cstrong\u003eevergreen fern\u003c\/strong\u003e it brings structure and texture to the garden in the dead of winter, when most perennials have long since retreated underground.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhat sets this \u003cstrong\u003epolystichum\u003c\/strong\u003e apart is its charming party trick. The slender frond tips extend, arch over and root where they meet the soil, slowly producing new plantlets and giving rise to its other common name, the walking fern. Over the years a single plant gently colonises its corner without ever becoming a nuisance, the lance-shaped, tassel-like fronds overlapping into a soft, layered mound.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eHow and where to grow it\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLike most woodland ferns, it is happiest in partial or full shade with shelter from harsh, drying winds. A north or east-facing border, a shady town garden or the dappled ground beneath trees and shrubs all suit it well. Give it a moist but well-drained soil enriched with leaf mould or garden compost; it is unfussy about soil type but resents both waterlogging and parched, baking conditions.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePosition:\u003c\/strong\u003e partial to full shade, sheltered\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSoil:\u003c\/strong\u003e moist but well-drained, humus-rich\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eEventual size:\u003c\/strong\u003e roughly 40-60cm tall and wide\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFoliage:\u003c\/strong\u003e evergreen, dark glossy green all year\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs a genuinely \u003cstrong\u003ehardy fern\u003c\/strong\u003e, it shrugs off frost down to around -10C, so it earns its place in our Hardy Exotics range. In the very coldest gardens, a sheltered spot and a loose winter mulch over the crown offer extra reassurance. Care is refreshingly simple: keep it watered through dry spells and snip away any tired or weather-damaged fronds in early spring to make way for the fresh croziers unfurling beneath. It also makes an excellent container subject for a shady patio.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEvery \u003cstrong\u003ePolystichum lepidocaulon\u003c\/strong\u003e we send out is a strong, well-rooted plant, hand-checked and carefully packed to arrive in the best possible condition, ready to settle straight into your garden.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"GrowTropicals","offers":[{"title":"9cm","offer_id":43572957708332,"sku":"POLYSCHLEPIDO9","price":15.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0361\/9645\/0348\/files\/polyschistum-1.jpg?v=1719588809"},{"product_id":"cyathea-tomentosissima","title":"Cyathea tomentosissima","description":"\u003cp\u003eOne of the most coveted small tree ferns in cultivation, \u003cem\u003eCyathea tomentosissima\u003c\/em\u003e brings the lush, prehistoric drama of the rainforest understorey to gardens with very little space to spare. Native to the cool, misty highlands of New Guinea, it forms a slender trunk clothed in extraordinary coppery-golden hairs, from which unfurl bright green, finely divided fronds. The species name means \"most densely woolly\", and it is that thick, tactile, almost metallic felt of scales on the croziers and stem that makes this such a collector's plant.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhy gardeners want it\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhere the familiar Dicksonia can quickly outgrow a courtyard, this is a genuinely compact, clump-forming evergreen that stays in proportion for years. The new fiddleheads emerge wrapped in dense golden tomentum, slowly uncoiling into airy, fresh green foliage that catches the light beautifully in a shaded corner. If you have been searching for a hardy tree fern with real character and rarity, this is one of the most rewarding choices available.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSlender trunk densely cloaked in striking golden-brown scales\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCompact habit, ideal for small gardens, courtyards and large pots\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eEvergreen fronds for year-round structure and texture\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt thrives in partial to full shade, in a sheltered, humid position out of hot, drying sun and cold winds. Give it a moist but well-drained, neutral to acid soil rich in leaf mould, and keep both the rootball and the trunk reliably damp through the growing season, misting in dry spells. Over many years it reaches around 1 to 1.5m, so it never overwhelms its setting. As one of the more cold-tolerant small tree ferns, it withstands short frosts once established, but in most of the UK it is best treated as borderline hardy: protect the central crown with fleece or dry straw over winter, or grow it in a container that can be moved under cover. Those choosing to buy a tree fern for a pot will find it adapts happily to a loam-based ericaceous mix.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEvery tree fern we offer is hand-selected and nursery-grown for a healthy crown and strong, well-rooted growing point, so your plant arrives ready to establish and thrive. Whether you are browsing tree fern for sale to anchor a shady border or add an exotic focal point, this rare cyathea is a standout in any Hardy Exotics collection.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"GrowTropicals","offers":[{"title":"14cm","offer_id":57682563334527,"sku":"CYATTORM14","price":16.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0361\/9645\/0348\/files\/cyathea.jpg?v=1780670786"},{"product_id":"arachniodes-simplicior-variegata","title":"Arachniodes simplicior Variegata","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eArachniodes simplicior Variegata\u003c\/strong\u003e is one of the most quietly striking ferns you can grow in shade. Better known as the variegated \u003cem\u003eeast indian holly fern\u003c\/em\u003e, it earns its common name from glossy, leathery fronds with toothed, holly-like edges, but the real showstopper is the broad creamy-yellow band that runs down the centre of every leaflet, lighting up the darkest corners of the garden all year round.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eWhy grow it\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhere many shade plants fade into a wash of green, this \u003cem\u003eholly fern\u003c\/em\u003e brings genuine, lasting colour without a single flower. The variegation is bold yet refined, the fronds are tough and weather-resistant, and the whole plant has a polished, almost architectural quality. It is evergreen to semi-evergreen, so it carries the display through the leaner months when little else is performing, a real asset for a hardy exotic border.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cul\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eDistinctive central gold variegation on holly-shaped, glossy fronds\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eEvergreen structure and year-round interest in shade\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eNeat, clump-forming habit that never outstays its welcome\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eReliably hardy across most of the UK\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eArachniodes simplicior\u003c\/strong\u003e is a woodlander at heart, so give it dappled to deep shade and a cool, humus-rich soil that stays moist but never waterlogged. It is happy in most soils with a little added leaf mould or compost, and settles well into a north or east-facing aspect, a shaded border, or a container by a sheltered doorway. Over five to ten years it forms a handsome clump around 40-60cm tall and wide, spreading slowly on short rhizomes rather than running. Hardy to roughly -15C, it shrugs off a normal British winter; simply tidy away any tired fronds in early spring and let the fresh growth unfurl.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIt pairs beautifully with hostas, hardy ferns, hellebores and woodland bulbs, and looks equally at home in a contemporary planting or a classic shade garden. Every \u003cem\u003evariegated holly fern\u003c\/em\u003e we send out is nursery-grown, well rooted and carefully selected, ready to establish quickly and reward you for years.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"GROW TROPICALS","offers":[{"title":"24cm","offer_id":57684043268479,"sku":"ARACHSIMPLI24","price":68.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0361\/9645\/0348\/files\/variegatedfern.jpg?v=1780671463"},{"product_id":"cyrtomium-fortunei-clivicola","title":"Cyrtomium fortunei 'clivicola'","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCyrtomium fortunei\u003c\/strong\u003e 'Clivicola', the Japanese holly fern, is one of the most architecturally striking hardy ferns you can grow. Each arching frond is lined with glossy, leathery pinnae that genuinely resemble holly leaves, giving the plant a bold, almost tropical presence while remaining tough enough to shrug off a British winter. It is exactly the kind of hardy exotic that brings year-round structure and a touch of the unexpected to shady corners.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUnlike many ferns that vanish in autumn, the holly fern is \u003cstrong\u003eevergreen\u003c\/strong\u003e, holding its deep green fronds right through the coldest months. 'Clivicola' is a particularly neat, clump-forming form, slowly building into a tidy rosette around 45-60cm tall and wide. Its dense, glossy foliage catches the light beautifully and contrasts wonderfully with softer ferns, hostas, hardy gingers and other shade-loving foliage plants.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eHow and where to grow\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is a true woodland plant, happiest in partial to full shade with shelter from drying winds and harsh midday sun. Give it a moist but well-drained soil enriched with leaf mould or garden compost; it is wonderfully unfussy about pH and will grow happily in chalk, clay, loam or sand. A north or east-facing border, a shaded courtyard, or the base of a wall are all ideal homes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePosition:\u003c\/strong\u003e Partial to full shade, sheltered\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSoil:\u003c\/strong\u003e Moist but well-drained, humus-rich\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHardiness:\u003c\/strong\u003e Reliably hardy across most of the UK\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eEventual size:\u003c\/strong\u003e Around 45-60cm in 2-5 years\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCyrtomium fortunei is refreshingly low-maintenance. Keep it watered through its first season and during dry spells, mulch the crown each autumn, and simply snip away any worn fronds in early spring as the fresh fiddleheads unfurl. Its compact habit also makes it a superb container fern for a shady patio or doorway.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhether you are searching for a dependable holly fern for a difficult shady spot or a handsome evergreen centrepiece, this Japanese holly fern delivers on both looks and resilience. Every plant we send out is nursery-grown, well-established and carefully selected, ready to settle straight into your garden.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"GROW TROPICALS","offers":[{"title":"8.5cm","offer_id":57684105560447,"sku":"CYRTOFORT85","price":4.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0361\/9645\/0348\/files\/cyrto_85d20af7-9793-4688-ba41-12db8455b316.jpg?v=1780670820"},{"product_id":"aristolochia-macrophylla","title":"Aristolochia macrophylla","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAristolochia macrophylla\u003c\/strong\u003e, the classic \u003cstrong\u003eDutchman's Pipe\u003c\/strong\u003e, is one of the most striking foliage climbers you can grow outdoors in the UK. This vigorous, fully hardy \u003cstrong\u003edutchmans pipe vine\u003c\/strong\u003e clothes walls, pergolas and arches in a curtain of huge, overlapping, heart-shaped leaves, some as broad as a dinner plate, creating a lush, almost tropical green screen in a remarkably short time.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe name comes from the curious early-summer flowers. Tucked beneath the foliage in June and July, each bloom is shaped like a little curved smoking pipe, mottled in yellow-green and purple-brown. They are a real talking point for anyone who takes the time to lift a leaf and look. For the rest of the season this \u003cstrong\u003edutchman's pipe plant\u003c\/strong\u003e earns its place on sheer architectural foliage alone.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eHow and where to grow\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eOne of the great virtues of \u003cstrong\u003eAristolochia macrophylla\u003c\/strong\u003e is its tolerance of shade. It thrives in full sun or partial shade and is happy on north, east and west-facing walls where many flowering climbers sulk. Give it a strong support to twine through, as mature plants are heavy and can climb 8-10 m. It suits any reasonable garden soil, whether chalk, clay, loam or sand, provided it stays moist but well drained, and it copes with frosts to around -15C, so no winter protection is required.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSelf-twining, no tying-in needed once started\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eExcellent for fast screening and shady aspects\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDeciduous, with fresh foliage each spring\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLong-lived and easy once established\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003ePlant into well-prepared, enriched soil, water deeply through the first two summers, and prune in late winter to keep it within bounds. Please note that all parts contain aristolochic acid and are toxic if eaten, so wear gloves when handling and site it away from pets and livestock. Whether you are searching for \u003cstrong\u003eAristolochia macrophylla UK\u003c\/strong\u003e stock or simply want a bold, low-fuss climber for a difficult wall, this is a superb choice. Each plant we send out is nursery-grown, well rooted and carefully selected to establish quickly in your garden.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"GROW TROPICALS","offers":[{"title":"17cm","offer_id":57810282938751,"sku":"ARISMAC17","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}]},{"product_id":"trachycarpus-fortunei","title":"Trachycarpus fortunei","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe \u003cstrong\u003eTrachycarpus fortunei\u003c\/strong\u003e, better known as the \u003cstrong\u003eChusan palm\u003c\/strong\u003e or \u003cstrong\u003ewindmill palm\u003c\/strong\u003e, is the definitive hardy palm for British gardens and the cornerstone of any exotic planting scheme. Instantly recognisable by its bold, fan-shaped fronds radiating from a slender trunk clothed in coarse, hessian-like fibre, it brings an unmistakable tropical silhouette to a climate where few true palms survive. This is the plant that lets you create a Mediterranean or jungle feel without leaving the resilience of a fully garden-hardy species behind.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eWhat makes \u003cstrong\u003eTrachycarpus fortunei\u003c\/strong\u003e so prized in the UK is its remarkable cold tolerance. Rated RHS H5, it shrugs off temperatures down to around -15C once established, making it one of the few palms that genuinely thrives outdoors year-round across most of the country. It is evergreen, so the architectural canopy of glossy green fans holds firm through winter, and mature specimens even produce arching sprays of small yellow flowers in early summer followed by blue-black fruits.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eHow and where to grow\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePosition:\u003c\/strong\u003e full sun to partial shade, ideally sheltered from cold, drying winds that can tatter the leaves.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSoil:\u003c\/strong\u003e any fertile, free-draining soil, from chalk to clay, across the full pH range, drainage matters most.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSize:\u003c\/strong\u003e slow-growing to an eventual 3-10 m, so it stays in proportion for many years.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHardiness:\u003c\/strong\u003e reliably hardy in the UK, with young crowns worth fleecing in severe frost.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003eWater regularly through the first couple of summers to establish a strong root system, after which it becomes impressively drought-tolerant. An annual spring mulch and a balanced feed keep the fronds lush and the growth steady. It is equally at home in a large patio container for several seasons, making it a flexible choice for courtyards and smaller plots.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eWhether you are searching for \u003cstrong\u003eTrachycarpus fortunei UK\u003c\/strong\u003e stock or simply the best hardy palm for a focal point, this RHS Award of Garden Merit winner delivers timeless exotic structure. Every plant we supply is nursery-grown, carefully selected for a healthy crown and strong root system, and packed with care to arrive in superb condition.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"GROW TROPICALS","offers":[{"title":"21cm","offer_id":57810283037055,"sku":"TRACHFORTU21","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}]},{"product_id":"colocasia-esculenta-black-magic","title":"Colocasia esculenta 'Black Magic'","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eColocasia esculenta 'Black Magic'\u003c\/strong\u003e is one of the most theatrical foliage plants you can grow, and the original dusky-leaved taro that made the elephant ears craze take off. Huge, heart-shaped leaves are held on dark petioles and flush a deep, smoky purple-black that deepens almost to charcoal in good light, catching raindrops and glowing against brighter greens. If you want instant drama and a jungle feel, this is the plant that delivers it.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAs a tender selection of \u003cstrong\u003ecolocasia esculenta\u003c\/strong\u003e, 'Black Magic' is grown purely for its architectural leaves rather than flowers, which makes it a brilliant centrepiece for borders, large containers and poolside plantings. Each season it powers up from a dormant tuber to form a bold, clump-forming mound, and the matt-black foliage of \u003cstrong\u003ecolocasia black magic\u003c\/strong\u003e pairs beautifully with limes, silvers and hot oranges. Few plants give this much presence so quickly.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eHow and where to grow\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis is a thirsty, warmth-loving exotic. Give \u003cstrong\u003eblack magic colocasia\u003c\/strong\u003e a sheltered, sunny spot, or light dappled shade, in rich, moisture-retentive soil that never dries out. It is one of the few exotics genuinely happy in boggy ground and at the margins of a pond, and it relishes generous watering and regular feeding through the growing season. Shelter from strong wind keeps the large leaves from tearing.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHeight around 0.9 to 1.5 m with a similar spread in a good summer\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFull sun for the darkest leaf colour; tolerates partial shade\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRich, constantly moist soil or a large pot of water-retentive compost\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003eBeing tender (RHS H2), the \u003cstrong\u003eblack elephant ear plant\u003c\/strong\u003e will not survive a frosty UK winter outside. Treat it as a patio exotic: stand it out for summer, then lift and store the tuber somewhere frost-free, or simply move the container into a greenhouse, conservatory or porch once the foliage blackens in autumn. Come spring it bursts back into growth. Do note that all parts are toxic if eaten, so keep it away from children and pets.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eEvery \u003cstrong\u003ecolocasia esculenta black magic\u003c\/strong\u003e we send is a strong, well-rooted plant, carefully grown and packed to arrive ready to put on a show in your garden or on the patio.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"GROW TROPICALS","offers":[{"title":"11cm","offer_id":57810283463039,"sku":"COLOBLACKMAGIC11","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}]}],"url":"https:\/\/growtropicals.com\/collections\/plants-for-shade.oembed","provider":"GrowTropicals","version":"1.0","type":"link"}