- Botanical name: Matteuccia struthiopteris
- Common name: Shuttlecock fern
- Family: Woodsiaceae
- Plant Type: Perennial
Green
- Key features:
- Dramatic foliage
The shuttlecock fern, Matteuccia struthiopteris, is a particularly attractive fern, bearing large, pale green, lacy fronds. It’s an excellent foliage plant for moist, dappled shade and works particularly well when planted in groups. Grow it among other moisture- and shade loving plants such as on the edge of a pond, in woodland situations or in a large container on a shady patio.
Matteuccia struthiopteris spreads slowly by underground rhizomes. The offsets can be dug up and moved in spring, but plants look best when left to form colonies. The Royal Horticultural Society has given it its prestigious Award of Garden Merit (AGM).
How to grow Matteuccia struthiopteris
-
Plant size
1.5m height
100cm spread
-
Aspect
North facing, east facing, south facing, west facing
- Sun exposure: Dappled shade, partial shade, full shade
- Hardiness: Hardy
- Soil type: Well drained / light / sandy / clay / heavy / moist / chalky / alkaline / acidic
Plant calendar
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plant | ||||||||||||
| Plant |
J
Do not Plant in January |
F
Do not Plant in February |
M
Do Plant in March |
A
Do Plant in April |
M
Do Plant in May |
J
Do Plant in June |
J
Do Plant in July |
A
Do Plant in August |
S
Do Plant in September |
O
Do not Plant in October |
N
Do not Plant in November |
D
Do not Plant in December |
| Divide | ||||||||||||
| Divide |
J
Do not Divide in January |
F
Do not Divide in February |
M
Do Divide in March |
A
Do Divide in April |
M
Do not Divide in May |
J
Do not Divide in June |
J
Do not Divide in July |
A
Do not Divide in August |
S
Do not Divide in September |
O
Do not Divide in October |
N
Do not Divide in November |
D
Do not Divide in December |
Matteuccia struthiopteris and wildlife
Matteuccia struthiopteris has no particular known value to wildlife in the UK.
Is Matteuccia struthiopteris poisonous?
Matteuccia struthiopteris has no toxic effects reported.
No reported toxicity to Birds
No reported toxicity to Cats
No reported toxicity to Dogs
No reported toxicity to Horses
No reported toxicity to Livestock
No reported toxicity to People
Plants that go well with Matteuccia struthiopteris
