I suppose the air from the dryer could be a problem. If nothing else it might blow lint onto the ferns. Otherwise the main issue with these is that they are not very hardy. If you think the spot offers protection from hard frost it might be quite suitable. I wouldn't do a formal arrangement with one in each corner unless the rest of the setting, especially the house is all formally symmetric - most are not and the commonly employed matching pairs and straight lines seen in planting do not go with them.

Also these plants get pretty heads of foliage where successful, there might not be room for two anyway. The one to try would be Dicksonia antarctica.

No treefern can be considered truly cold hardy in Western Washington, even in the most sheltered gardens. A cold winter always knocks them off unless they receive some form of special protection. That is why you don't see any really big ones around here. Possible protection means include tying up the fronds and wrapping the crown with fiberglass insulation or lots of blankets and securing them on with twine or bungee cords.

In a cool shady nook, Dicksonia antarctica can have a crown spread of 12' or more. It's a pity that Dicksonia fibrosa, Cyathea australis, and Cyathea cunninghamii aren't more readily available since all of them are hardy to about 20F.

Too bad the more hardy ones aren't more available. It will be very protected! I will also wrap it if we have freezes. I keep all of my tender potted stuff in the cut-out all winter. Newly rooted roses, potted roses, mini roses. Lots of stuff that shouldn't make it has done great there. I also thought the dryer vent would be a good thing.
Thanks! Off to find a Dicksonia antartica.
I will only plant one. Didn't realize they got so huge. I know they are slow growers. I have a feeling it is going to like the spot I'm putting it.

Here's a neat site I found about them, the author lives in Olympia.

Here is a link that might be useful: Cold-Hardy Tree Ferns Page

pacnwgrdngirl,

The author of "Cold-Hardy Tree Ferns" lives in Sequim now. He is Ian, the guy who responded to your question.

John

Oh wow, what a coincidence! I assumed he lived in Olympia because some of the picture captions said the author lived in Olympia.

Great site Ian! :o)

My cover has been blown again. Thanks, I'm glad you enjoyed it. Yes, I did live in Olympia until a few years ago. I still have the one big Dicksonia antarctica down there, but I took away all the other ferns when I left (except for a couple that froze).