Matteuccia orientalis (Onoclea orientalis)

Oriental Ostrich Fern Onocleaceae

A rather splendid oriental cousin of the familiar ostrich fern, forming handsome, spreading rosettes of fresh green, finely divided sterile fronds. The new croziers emerge clad in dark scales before unfurling into a remarkably clean and elegant shuttlecock — less thuggish than some of its Matteuccia relatives, but certainly not short of character. Separate fertile fronds arise from the centre of the plant, narrower and much more upright, turning dark reddish-brown and persisting through winter. In a good position it makes a particularly attractive colony, spreading gradually without becoming a garden bully.

Naturally found from the eastern Himalaya through China, Taiwan, Korea and Japan to the Russian Far East, where it grows in moist woodland, forest margins and other sheltered habitats. 

Give it moist, humus-rich soil in shade or partial shade; it is surprisingly adaptable to sun provided the soil does not dry out. Deciduous, completely hardy in Britain and particularly effective planted in groups where its contrasting fertile fronds can be appreciated.

Nomenclature: The plant has had an entertaining taxonomic career. It was originally described as Struthiopteris orientalis Hook. (1861), subsequently treated as Onoclea orientalis, and later transferred to Matteuccia as Matteuccia orientalis (Hook.) Trevis. It has also appeared under Pentarhizidium orientale and Pteretis orientalis. Current Kew treatment places it in Onoclea as Onoclea orientalis (Hook.) Hook., although Matteuccia orientalis remains a very familiar horticultural name. 

• Hardiness: H5, approximately –15 to –10°C
• Height: 50–100 cm
• Spread: 50–100 cm
• Foliage: Deciduous
• Fertile fronds: Erect, narrow, reddish-brown, persisting into winter
• Range: Eastern Himalaya, China, Taiwan, Korea, Japan, Kuril Islands, Sakhalin and Russian Far East