Ostrich Fern (Matteuccia struthiopteris)
[mah-TOO-kee-ah stroo-thee-OP-ter-iss]
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Deciduous Perennial Upright in the Onocleaceae Family
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Available May 9
Size |
Notes |
Price |
Availability |
#1 gallon |
Field
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$13.60 |
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Ostrich Fern captivates with its lush, feathery fronds that unfurl in a graceful, arching display, adding a touch of elegance to any garden. This hardy perennial thrives in moist, shaded areas, making it a perfect choice for woodland landscapes. |
Matteuccia struthiopteris, commonly called ostrich fern, is a dramatic and versatile native perennial that can make a striking addition to shade gardens and naturalized areas. This clump-forming fern features large, arching fronds that can reach up to 6 feet tall, giving it a distinctive, ostrich-like appearance. Ostrich fern prefers consistently moist, well-drained, acidic soil and partial to full shade, making it well-suited for planting along streams, ponds, or under the canopy of trees. Its vigorous, spreading habit allows it to be used as a groundcover or planted in mass to create lush, textural backdrops. The fronds maintain their bright green color throughout the growing season before turning golden brown in fall. Ostrich fern also works nicely when incorporated into woodland gardens, cottage gardens, or shaded border plantings to add bold, architectural interest.
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Pros
A tall, native fern. Bright green fronds. Bronze-gold fall foliage color. Foliage Interest Bog Plant Award of Garden Merit
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Why Like |
In May, this ornamental fern puts on a Jurassic show at the north end of the woods, with graceful fronds unfolding 3+ feet straight up, and eventually arching down. |
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Plant Data |
Mature Size |
4 - 6 feet
tall. 24 - 36 inches
wide.
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Growth Rate |
Fast |
Sun Exposure |
Full Shade - Full Shade |
Moisture Tolerance |
Medium - Wet: It is essential to water your Ostrich Fern often to maintain medium to wet conditions during the hot season. If the plant doesn’t get enough moisture, its foliage can go dormant too early.
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Zones |
4a - 8b
(Usually hardy to -30° F)
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Tags |
Container, Deciduous, Deer Resistant, Fall interest, Fast Growth Rate, For a Shady Spot, Full Shade, Good for Accents, Good for Beginners, Good for Butterfly Garden, Good for Cut Flowers, Good for Mass Planting, Grown For Attractive Foliage, Low Maintenance, Medium, Most Popular, Normal Soil, Perennial, Plant of Merit, Pond, Rabbit Resistant, Shade Tolerant, Tolerant of Clay Soil, Tolerant of Moist Soil, Tolerant of Sandy Soil, Well-Drained Soil, Wet, Wet Site Tolerant, Woodland Garden
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Foliage Color |
Green
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Most Popular Plants |
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Related Articles |
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More Info from Experts |
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Commonly Planted with...
Sweet Fern (Comptonia peregrina), Astilbes (Astilbe spp.), Trillium (Trillium grandiflorum), Bloodroot (Sanguinaria canadensis),Hostas (Hosta spp), Primulas.
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Photos of This with...
Box Elder,
Angelface Blue Summer Snapdragon,
Sprite Astilbe,
Japanese Painted Fern,
Heart to Heart Raspberry Moon Elephant Ear,
Karl Foerster Feather Reed Grass,
Superbells Blackcurrant Punch Million Bells,
Superbells Double Amber Million Bells,
Superbells Dreamsicle Calibrachoa,
Wild Hyacinth,
Eastern Redbud,
Eastern Redbud 'Forest Pansy',
Golden Showers Threadleaf Coreopsis,
Wolf Eyes Dogwood,
Vermillionaire Firecracker Plant,
Cushion Spurge,
White Ash,
Wild Geranium,
Cow Parsnip,
Dame's Rocket,
Paris Coral Bells,
Beyond Glory Plantain Lily,
Blue Mammoth Hosta,
Golden Scepter Hosta,
Invincible Hosta,
Rainforest Sunrise Hosta,
Shadowland Empress Wu Hosta,
Spanish Bluebell,
Annabelle Hydrangea,
Cardinal Flower,
Virginia Bluebells,
Petite Delight Beebalm,
Daffodil,
Watch Up Trumpet Daffodil,
Japanese pachysandra,
Blue Fountain Switch Grass,
Denim 'n Lace Russian Sage,
Supertunia Raspberry Rush Petunia,
Newport Cherry Plum,
Chokecherry,
Oak,
Siberian Squill,
Wood Lily,
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