Skip to content

Ostrich Fern

Matteuccia Struthiopteris

Design with this plant

Overview

The Ostrich Fern, Matteuccia struthiopteris, is a robust, crown-forming perennial, thriving in USDA zones 3-7. With its stately, vase-like clumps, it unfurls feather-like fronds reaching 3-6 feet in height. Preferring partial to full shade, it flourishes in moist, rich soil. Ideal for naturalized areas, it provides dramatic vertical texture and lush, green backdrop in woodland gardens. Hardy and low maintenance, it offers a graceful, arching display, emulating its namesake’s plumes.

Sun Half, ShadeWater Extra in Summer, HighZones 3–7

Culture

Sun
Half, Shade
Water
Extra in Summer, High
USDA zones
3–7

Shape & size

Classification

Family
Onocleaceae

See full data, regional cultivation notes, full-resolution photos, and design tools. Build a client presentation around this plant.

Start your 14-day trial

Photos (119)

Ostrich Fern (Matteuccia Struthiopteris) — The Ostrich Fern, Matteuccia struthiopteris, is a robust, crown-forming perennial, thriving in USDA zones 3-7
Ostrich Fern (Matteuccia Struthiopteris) — green backdrop in woodland gardens
Ostrich Fern (Matteuccia Struthiopteris) — With its stately, vase-like clumps, it unfurls feather-like fronds reaching 3-6 feet in height
Ostrich Fern (Matteuccia Struthiopteris) — Preferring partial to full shade, it flourishes in moist, rich soil
Ostrich Fern (Matteuccia Struthiopteris) — Ideal for naturalized areas
Ostrich Fern (Matteuccia Struthiopteris) — it provides dramatic vertical texture and lush
Ostrich Fern (Matteuccia Struthiopteris) — Hardy and low maintenance, it offers a graceful, arching display, emulating its namesake‚Äôs plumes
Ostrich Fern (Matteuccia Struthiopteris) — known botanically as Matteuccia struthiopteris
Ostrich Fern (Matteuccia Struthiopteris) — is a deciduous perennial that brings an elegant and lush greenery to any shaded landscape design
Ostrich Fern (Matteuccia Struthiopteris) — vase-like clumps which can spread to form a dense colony when happily situated
Ostrich Fern (Matteuccia Struthiopteris) — well-drained soil and will thrive in part to full shade
Ostrich Fern (Matteuccia Struthiopteris) — This fern\'s growth pattern is distinctive
Ostrich Fern (Matteuccia Struthiopteris) — thanks to its underground rhizomes
Ostrich Fern (Matteuccia Struthiopteris) — the Ostrich Fern prefers a rich
Ostrich Fern (Matteuccia Struthiopteris) — Its common name derives from the grand, arching fronds that resemble the graceful feathers of an ostrich
Ostrich Fern (Matteuccia Struthiopteris) — These ferns typically grow to a height ranging from 3 to 6 feet with a similar spread
Ostrich Fern (Matteuccia Struthiopteris) — <br><br>It also bears "fiddleheads" in early spring
Ostrich Fern (Matteuccia Struthiopteris) — which unfurl into the large fronds that can reach up to 4 to 5 feet in length
Ostrich Fern (Matteuccia Struthiopteris) — especially during dry periods
Ostrich Fern (Matteuccia Struthiopteris) — A generous layer of mulch will help to maintain soil moisture and keep root systems cool
Ostrich Fern (Matteuccia Struthiopteris) — An enchanting addition to any woodland or shade garden
Ostrich Fern (Matteuccia Struthiopteris) — <br><br>It is important to note that while these ferns are low maintenance
Ostrich Fern (Matteuccia Struthiopteris) — they do require consistent moisture
Ostrich Fern (Matteuccia Struthiopteris) — the Ostrich Fern offers a dramatic

Related plants