Dicksonia antartica
(Tree fern)

Semi-evergreen fern with an upright rhizome forming a trunk entwined with roots.

Height: You pay your money and take your choice, Up to twenty feet if you can afford it.

Hardiness: Seems to be fully hardy, but will probably lose its fronds over winter. Trunk can be wrapped in fleece and crown covered in straw if you want to be cautious

Propagation: Can be grown from spores but a 1 metre plant would take twenty years.

Notes: The ultimate fern, it's expensive, needs some care but well worth the trouble. Likes a shady position out of the wind and the trunk needs to kept damp during summer months.