MATTEUCCIA struthiopteris

Matteuccia struthiopteris (ostrich fern) is a striking, deciduous fern prized for its tall, shuttlecock-like rosettes of fresh green fronds that can reach around 1–1.5m in height, with shorter, upright fertile fronds that persist through winter for added structure. Best in reliably moist, humus-rich soil in partial to full shade, it thrives in damp, sheltered, woodland-style borders and is excellent beside streams or ponds. It will not tolerate dry soils, and benefits from consistent moisture and organic mulch; remove old fronds in late winter or early spring as new croziers emerge. Spreading slowly by rhizomes, it can form handsome colonies in Irish gardens where soil moisture is dependable.

To help give a clear sense of scale, the stone wall shown in our photos measures approximately 265cm in height. We also use familiar garden tools as visual references: a digging fork (110cm tall) and a hand fork (30cm tall). These are included purely as size guides to help you better judge proportions when viewing the images.

Position: Partial to full shade

Rate of Growth: Fast

Soil: Moist, humus-rich, preferably neutral to acid; will not tolerate dry soils

Hardiness: Fully hardy across Ireland

Plant at a Glance