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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

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) — <br><br>It also bears "fiddleheads" in early spring; the Ostrich Fern prefers a rich
Ostrich Fern (Matteuccia Struthiopteris) — These ferns typically grow to a height ranging from 3 to 6 feet with a similar spread; a generous layer of mulch
Ostrich Fern (Matteuccia Struthiopteris) — yet natural aesthetic with minimal care requirements; thanks to its underground rhizomes, image 77
Ostrich Fern (Matteuccia Struthiopteris) — Ideal for naturalized areas; yet natural aesthetic with minimal care requirements, image 108
Ostrich Fern (Matteuccia Struthiopteris) — An enchanting addition to any woodland or shade garden; with its stately, vase-like clumps, it unfurls, image 101
Ostrich Fern (Matteuccia Struthiopteris) — known botanically as Matteuccia struthiopteris; the Ostrich Fern, Matteuccia struthiopteris, is a robust, image 60
Ostrich Fern (Matteuccia Struthiopteris) — <br><br>It is important to note that while these ferns are low maintenance
Ostrich Fern (Matteuccia Struthiopteris) — the Ostrich Fern prefers a rich; preferring partial to full shade, it flourishes in moist, rich soil, image 116
Ostrich Fern (Matteuccia Struthiopteris) — <br><br>It also bears "fiddleheads" in early spring
Ostrich Fern (Matteuccia Struthiopteris) — An enchanting addition to any woodland or shade garden; with its stately, vase-like clumps, it unfurls, image 75
Ostrich Fern (Matteuccia Struthiopteris) — especially during dry periods; this fern\'s growth pattern is distinctive
Ostrich Fern (Matteuccia Struthiopteris) — well-drained soil and will thrive in part to full shade; its common name derives from the grand, arching fronds that
Ostrich Fern (Matteuccia Struthiopteris) — yet natural aesthetic with minimal care requirements
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) — fern for half or shade; an enchanting addition to any woodland or shade garden, image 104
Ostrich Fern (Matteuccia Struthiopteris) — which unfurl into the large fronds that can reach up to 4 to 5 feet in length; <br><br>It is important, image 70
Ostrich Fern (Matteuccia Struthiopteris) — they do require consistent moisture; hardy and low maintenance, it offers a graceful, arching display, emulating its
Ostrich Fern (Matteuccia Struthiopteris) — thanks to its underground rhizomes; it provides dramatic vertical texture and lush, image 68
Ostrich Fern (Matteuccia Struthiopteris) — <br><br>It is important to note that while these ferns are low maintenance; fern for half or shade
Ostrich Fern (Matteuccia Struthiopteris) — is a deciduous perennial that brings an elegant and lush greenery to any shaded landscape design; known, image 113
Ostrich Fern (Matteuccia Struthiopteris) — With its stately, vase-like clumps, it unfurls feather-like fronds reaching 3-6 feet in height; these, image 106
Ostrich Fern (Matteuccia Struthiopteris) — it provides dramatic vertical texture and lush
Ostrich Fern (Matteuccia Struthiopteris) — Ideal for naturalized areas; yet natural aesthetic with minimal care requirements, image 56
Ostrich Fern (Matteuccia Struthiopteris) — Hardy and low maintenance, it offers a graceful, arching display, emulating its namesake‚Äôs plumes, image 111

Photo courtesy of Proven Winners

Photographs by 13 contributors

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