It is commonly known as the ostrich fern or shuttlecock fern because its new growth bursts up, revealing light green crisp foliage that unfurls rather like a large green shuttlecock.
The fern increases by underground rhizomes and can quickly cover a large area with great effect.
With its soft delicate-looking foliage, Matteuccia struthiopteris looks great when planted with Hosta, Rodgersia, Trillium or Iris in a shaded border.
It also looks good en masse beside a pond or stream.
As the foliage matures, the fronds tend to arch over and care must be taken not to plant too closely to other plants that could be covered by the ageing growth.
As temperatures cool, the foliage dies back. This can be a good time to keep the plant in check with a spade.
At Dunedin Botanic Garden, Matteuccia struthiopteris can be seen growing beside the path going through the Clive Lister Garden close to the pond.
Stephen Bishop is curator of the Clive Lister Garden at Dunedin Botanic Garden.
