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AGM plants have been through a rigorous trial and assessment programme. They are:
This plant will provide nectar and pollen for bees and the many other types of pollinating insects.
It is included in an evolving list of plants carefully researched and chosen by RHS experts. Divided into 3 groups these lists, linked below, are maintained by a team of RHS staff and are reviewed annually.
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Other common names shuttlecock fern ostrich fern
ostrich-feather fern
Family Onocleaceae
Genus Matteuccia are rhizomatous deciduous ferns, sometimes with stolons, forming shuttlecock-like rosettes of erect or spreading, pinnately divided fronds, with smaller, erect, bead-like fertile fronds
Details M. struthiopteris is a deciduous, stoloniferous fern forming colonies of erect rosettes to 1.5m in height, with lance-shaped, bright green, bipinnatifid sterile fronds surrounding shorter, brownish fertile fronds
Plant range Europe Asia USA
Foliage Deciduous
Habit Suckering
Hardiness
All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets
H5
Full Shade
Partial Shade
Aspect South-facing or North-facing or West-facing or East-facing
Exposure Sheltered
Clay
Loam
Sand
MoistureMoist but well-drained
SoilClay, Loam, Sand
pHAcid, Neutral
Ultimate height 1-1.5 metres
Ultimate spread 1.5-2.5 metres
Time to ultimate height 5-10 years
Cultivation Easy to grow in most cool, moist, shaded sites and useful for very wet sites
Propagation Propagate by sowing spores as soon as ripe or by division in spring
Suggested planting locations and garden types Low Maintenance Flower borders and beds Underplanting of Roses and Shrubs Cottage & Informal Garden
Pruning Dead or damaged fronds may be removed as necessary
Pests Generally pest free outdoors
Diseases Generally disease free outdoors
RHS members can get exclusive individual advice from the RHS Gardening Advice team.
shuttlecock fern
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