Matteucia struthiopteris

Description

Matteuccia struthiopteris – ostrich fern

Botanical name: Matteuccia struthiopteris
Common names: Ostrich fern, shuttlecock fern
Family: Onocleaceae
Plant type: Deciduous fern
Habit: Upright shuttlecock, spreading by runners to form colonies
Pot size: 3 litre pot
Eventual size: Approx. 90–170cm tall × spreading
Foliage: Elegant, bright green, upright feathery fronds in a symmetrical shuttlecock; deciduous
Flowers: None — ferns reproduce by spores, not flowers
Scent: Not scented
Aspect / light: Partial to full shade
Soil: Moist to wet, humus-rich; neutral to acid
Hardiness: RHS H7 (very hardy, below −20°C); USDA zones 3–7
Exposure: Sheltered
Native range: Native to the northern hemisphere including Europe
Toxicity / pet & child safety: Generally considered non-toxic to people and pets

Matteuccia struthiopteris, the ostrich fern, forms elegant upright shuttlecocks of bright green feathery fronds and spreads by runners into handsome colonies. Superb for moist and boggy shade, pond margins and damp woodland.

GardenAdvice notes

One of the most elegant and distinctive ferns, the ostrich fern forms perfect, symmetrical shuttlecocks of bright green, upright fronds, like feathery vases. It spreads by underground runners to build up into striking colonies, and thrives in the moist to wet, shaded conditions of a bog garden, streamside or damp woodland.

Growing & planting

Plant in spring or autumn in moist but well-drained, humus-rich soil in partial to full shade, with shelter from cold, drying winds. Work in leaf mould or compost to hold moisture, and space according to the ultimate size, generally about 45–60cm apart.

Care & maintenance

Low-maintenance. Keep the soil reliably moist, and mulch with leaf mould in autumn. Cut back the old fronds in late autumn or early spring as they die down. No feeding is usually needed beyond an annual mulch.

Propagation

• Division: Lift and divide the spreading rhizomes or offsets in spring.
• Spores: Can be raised from spores sown on moist, sterile compost, though this is slow and specialised.

Pests & diseases

Generally trouble-free. Slugs may graze young fronds, and the fronds brown and collapse if the soil dries out, as it demands reliable moisture. Given wet, shaded conditions it is vigorous and healthy.

Uses in the garden

Superb for moist and boggy borders, pond and stream margins, damp woodland and shaded areas with reliable moisture, where it naturalises into elegant colonies

Wildlife value

The fronds and crown provide cover and shelter for small invertebrates through the year.

Toxicity & safety

Ferns are generally regarded as non-toxic to people and pets, though as with all ornamental plants they are not intended for eating.

GardenAdvice tip

Ostrich fern is grown for those perfect green shuttlecocks, which are at their freshest and most elegant in late spring — so keep it in the moist, even wet, ground it loves, and it will reward you handsomely. Do be aware it spreads by runners to form colonies, which is wonderful for filling a damp, shady area but worth giving room; simply remove unwanted runners in spring to keep it in check.

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