Walking with dinosaurs

Big on impact but low on care, a prehistoric cycad is the perfect statement piece for the garden,

Low-maintenance cycads work well in mass plantings or as bold sculptural statement pieces

My favourite encounter with cycads in the wild was during a drive through Braidwood in the Southern Tablelands of New South Wales. Hundreds of them were sitting stout and proud under the dappled light of a eucalypt forest. Large, graceful, glossy fronds gently overlapped to form a lush, verdant understorey. With little water and zero attention – aside from awe-struck car passengers – they were thriving. It’s little wonder these elegant beauties have been adopted into our gardens.

Cycads have been around for more than 250 million years. That says something about their tenacity, and is a testament to their ability to withstand the elements. Their striking architectural foliage and intriguing growth habits suit most garden styles, and even if your garden doesn’t tend towards a certain design, these plants just might be the prehistoric statement piece you’ve been looking for. They are incredibly slow-growing and likely to outlast us all, but the show is worth it.

landscape legends

With their sculptural forms, cycads add sophistication to any sized landscape, whether they’re in the ground or in pots. Use them as focal points to help elevate garden beds, particularly in contemporary, dryland or tropical gardens. They are the perfect substitute for palms, providing the majestic crown of foliage without the height.

To achieve a verdant planting scheme, underplant cycads with bromeliads, ctenanthe, or compact philodendrons such as Philodendron ‘Xanadu’. In modern xeriscapes, team cycads with similar sculptural foliage types along the lines of agaves, aloes and blue chalksticks.

Cycads also look magnificent planted in groups underneath established trees, or growing en masse in feature beds, particularly to define a boundary or space. Take heed, though – the foliage of certain types (sago palm and dioon) can be quite prickly. For a softer approach, look for cardboard palm (Zamia furfuracea).

Potted specimens look fantastic as a standalone feature, and a single mature pot plant adds instant drama. If you have space, potted cycads flanking a driveway or path give the thoroughfare prominence.

cultivation & care

Growing cycads is relatively easy. Good drainage is essential, as they won’t tolerate wet feet. Improve clay soils with gypsum, and dig in plenty of organic matter. (See page 44 for more on dealing with clay soils.) If the soil is unrelenting, plant in a free-draining mix in raised beds or pots.

The best time to plant cycads is spring or autumn. In frost-free zones, late winter is suitable, too. Depending on the species, choose a position in full sun or semi-shade, under the dappled light of established trees.

Water deeply and regularly, but reduce the frequency once the plant is established. To keep the soil cool over summer, cover it with a woody mulch such as pine bark. Feed the plant with a slow-release fertiliser in spring, summer and autumn.

Cycads naturally grow into a beautiful shape, so aside from removing the old leaves, you don’t need to prune them.