Matteuccia struthiopteris
"Shuttlecock fern"
Orders placed until 29 February 2026
You can expect your order in February/March 2026
Orders placed 1 March - 15 April 2026
You can expect your order in March/April 2026
Orders placed 16 April - 15 May 2026
You can expect your order within 10 business days
UK orders over £50
Free shipping
UK orders under £50
£4.99
Northern Ireland orders under £50
£5.99
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Description
If you’re looking for an impressive plant to bring life to a shady space, you won’t regret taking a shot at this spectacular shuttlecock fern, Matteuccia struthiopteris. Watch those tightly curled fronds unroll into fiddleheads in spring, before fully unfurling into a giant shuttlecock of upright, soft ferny foliage which lasts through summer and autumn. The flamboyant, feathery appearance of these enormous leaves also earn this fabulous foliage plant a second common name—Ostrich fern.
By early summer Matteuccia struthiopteris will be in full foliage glory, providing a magnificent architectural presence. The shuttlecock fern loves a spot in cool, damp soils and boggy areas. This super low-maintenance, fully hardy perennial is a keen naturaliser, spreading by underground rhizomes to form spectacular colonies as the years pass. Shade-loving Matteuccia struthiopteris flourishes in the dappled shade beneath a canopy of deciduous trees, in the full shade of buildings or close to a pond edges.
Herbivore dinosaurs grazed on low-lying vegetation such as ferns, club mosses, horsetails, and some conifers that grew on the surface.
Key features
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Comes back every year
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Loved by pollinators
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Great for shade
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In peat-free compost
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Low maintenance
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RHS Award (AGM)
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Fully hardy
Specs & details
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Botanical name
Matteuccia struthiopteris
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Plant size
1
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Established height
50-70cm
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Established spread
30-50cm
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Plant spacing
5 plants per m2
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Leaf colour
Green
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Habit
Upright
Clump-forming -
Life cycle
Perennial
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Hardiness
Fully hardy
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Years to establish
2-3 years
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Sunlight
Full shade
Partial shade
Dappled shade -
Position
Sheltered
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Suitable for
Large containers
Borders
Cottage gardens
Low maintenance gardens
Pots -
Soil acidity
Any
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Soil moisture
Damp
Free draining -
Soil type
Loam
Clay
Loam-based compost
Sandy -
Growing skill
Easy to grow
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Scented
No
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Pollinator-friendly
Yes
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Mouse resistant
No
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Rabbit resistant
Yes
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Deer resistant
Yes
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Toxicity
No report
Plant calendar
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | June | July | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
- Planting
- Flowering
Useful information
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Soak the Matteuccia struthiopteris roots in water for 3-6 hours prior to planting
Plant your "Shuttlecock fern" bare roots into temporary pots with a multipurpose compost in spring and grow-on in a sheltered spot outdoors
Choose a pot which comfortably fits the bare roots. Some have a noticeable crown which should be just below the soil surface with any top growth exposed. Some varieties are a length of root which should be planted lengthways and shallowly (1-2cm deep).
Plant out into borders or permanent containers in late spring or early summer once in full growth. Choose a position in sun or shade depending on the variety.
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Orders placed until 29 February 2025
You can expect your order in February/March 2025Orders placed 1 March - 15 April 2025
You can expect your order in March/April 2025Orders placed 16 April - 15 May 2025
You can expect your order within 10 business days
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