About
A deciduous fern with widely ovate, pinnate, lime green sterile fronds surrounding long, narrower, fertile fronds that emerge near black and turn reddish-brown in autumn. The stems are long helping to give a spreading, almost pendulous habit.
About the 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
Growing conditions
SunlightFull shade, Full sun, Partial shade
Soil typeClay, Loam
Soil pHAcid, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained, Poorly-drained
AspectNorth-facing, East-facing, West-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH5
Plant details
Plant typeFerns
HabitClump forming, Spreading branched
FoliageDeciduous
Height0.5-1 metres
Spread0.5-1 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesArchitectural, Cottage and informal garden
Native toAsia
Care notes
CultivationGrow in a moist shady spot in neutral or slightly acidic soil.
PruningDead or damaged fronds can be removed as necessary
PropagationPropagate by division in spring or from spores
Pest resistanceGenerally pest-free
Disease resistanceGenerally disease-free