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Ostrich Fern

Matteuccia Struthiopteris

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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 3–7Type Fern
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) — the Ostrich Fern offers a dramatic; is a deciduous perennial that brings an elegant and lush greenery to, image 76Ostrich Fern (Matteuccia Struthiopteris) — These ferns typically grow to a height ranging from 3 to 6 feet with a similar spreadOstrich Fern (Matteuccia Struthiopteris) — the Ostrich Fern prefers a richOstrich Fern (Matteuccia Struthiopteris) — it provides dramatic vertical texture and lush; green backdrop in woodland gardens, image 83Ostrich Fern (Matteuccia Struthiopteris) — is a deciduous perennial that brings an elegant and lush greenery to any shaded landscape design; known, image 87Ostrich Fern (Matteuccia Struthiopteris) — green backdrop in woodland gardens; well-drained soil and will thrive in part to full shade, image 58+132

Culture

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

Shape & size

Classification

Type
Fern
Family
Onocleaceae

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Photos (139)

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) — the Ostrich Fern offers a dramatic; is a deciduous perennial that brings an elegant and lush greenery to, image 76
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) — the Ostrich Fern prefers a rich
Ostrich Fern (Matteuccia Struthiopteris) — it provides dramatic vertical texture and lush; green backdrop in woodland gardens, image 83
Ostrich Fern (Matteuccia Struthiopteris) — is a deciduous perennial that brings an elegant and lush greenery to any shaded landscape design; known, image 87
Ostrich Fern (Matteuccia Struthiopteris) — green backdrop in woodland gardens; well-drained soil and will thrive in part to full shade, image 58
Ostrich Fern (Matteuccia Struthiopteris) — This fern\'s growth pattern is distinctive
Ostrich Fern (Matteuccia Struthiopteris) — yet natural aesthetic with minimal care requirements; thanks to its underground rhizomes
Ostrich Fern (Matteuccia Struthiopteris) — the Ostrich Fern prefers a rich; preferring partial to full shade, it flourishes in moist, rich soil, image 90
Ostrich Fern (Matteuccia Struthiopteris) — well-drained soil and will thrive in part to full shade
Ostrich Fern (Matteuccia Struthiopteris) — known botanically as Matteuccia struthiopteris
Ostrich Fern (Matteuccia Struthiopteris) — green backdrop in woodland gardens
Ostrich Fern (Matteuccia Struthiopteris) — This fern\'s growth pattern is distinctive; <br><br>It also bears "fiddleheads" in early spring
Ostrich Fern (Matteuccia Struthiopteris) — With its stately, vase-like clumps, it unfurls feather-like fronds reaching 3-6 feet in height; these, image 54
Ostrich Fern (Matteuccia Struthiopteris) — Preferring partial to full shade, it flourishes in moist, rich soil; which unfurl into the large fronds, image 55
Ostrich Fern (Matteuccia Struthiopteris) — especially during dry periods; this fern\'s growth pattern is distinctive, image 99
Ostrich Fern (Matteuccia Struthiopteris) — With its stately, vase-like clumps, it unfurls feather-like fronds reaching 3-6 feet in height; these ferns
Ostrich Fern (Matteuccia Struthiopteris) — A generous layer of mulch will help to maintain soil moisture and keep root systems cool
Ostrich Fern (Matteuccia Struthiopteris) — Ideal for naturalized areas
Ostrich Fern (Matteuccia Struthiopteris) — With its stately, vase-like clumps, it unfurls feather-like fronds reaching 3-6 feet in height; these, image 80
Ostrich Fern (Matteuccia Struthiopteris) — they do require consistent moisture; hardy and low maintenance, it offers a graceful, arching display, image 72
Ostrich Fern (Matteuccia Struthiopteris) — A generous layer of mulch will help to maintain soil moisture and keep root systems cool; especially during dry
Ostrich Fern (Matteuccia Struthiopteris) — Ideal for naturalized areas; yet natural aesthetic with minimal care requirements, image 82

Photo courtesy of Proven Winners

Photographs by 13 contributors

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