Matteuccia struthiopteris var. pensylvanica - Ostrich Fern

Matteuccia pensylvanica, also known as ostrich fern or German fern, is a large and beautiful botanical species with a spreading habit that illuminates leafy undergrowth in spring. It produces a bouquet of large and sterile feathery fronds of a surprising light green colour, arranged in a funnel shape. Later in the season, they turn a darker green and disappear in winter, while a crown of small, brown, persistent sterile fronds emerges from their centre. Extremely hardy, this particularly ornamental fern is not difficult to grow in moist soil that is not too chalky, in partial shade or even in not too dense shade.

Matteuccia pensylvanica, sometimes called Matteuccia struthiopteris var. pensylvanica, is a rhizomatous fern native to the temperate Northern Hemisphere, particularly Eastern North America, Asia, Scandinavia, the Alps, and Germany. This plant belongs to the Onocleaceae family. The plant has an upright habit, with spreading tufts of large fronds arranged in a crown, emerging from the ground and reaching a minimum height of 1 to 1.5m (3 to 5ft) and a width of 80cm (32in). Its rhizomes allow the plant to spread laterally, producing new crowns emerging at 10 or 20cm (4 or 8in) from the mother plant, sometimes even further. The new 'croziers' (the characteristic coiled shoots of ferns) emerge from the ground as early as April. They are feathery and deeply divided, composed of lanceolate, light green leaflets. These leaflets are also lanceolate and fairly narrow. At the end of July, fertile fronds emerge in the centre of the crown, not exceeding 30 to 50cm (12 to 20in) in height. They are olive-green before turning to brown, with rolled edges. They are graceful and delicate like lace, covering the plant's sori (reproductive cells) under their undulations. The rhizome also grows vertically and can emerge 15 or 20cm (6 or 8in) above the ground in an older plant. If it thrives, this fast-growing plant can be slightly invasive.

Matteuccia ferns are enchanting large ferns. Depending on the species, they can be highly stoloniferous or not at all. Depending on the space available, this characteristic should definitely be taken into consideration. Matteuccia pensylvanica is one of those ferns that have relatively controlled growth. It is simply divine in the undergrowth, under deciduous trees or bushes. It can also be planted near a water feature, reflecting its architectural silhouette. The miracle of its croziers emerging from the ground is always intriguing and will amuse children greatly. Then comes the spectacle of its fronds unfurling into large ostrich feathers and making the light sing. They can be accompanied by loosestrifes, baby's tears, meadowsweets, or columbines in loose, moist soil, protected from direct sunlight.