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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) — vase-like clumps which can spread to form a dense colony when happily situated; the Ostrich Fern offers a dramatic
Ostrich Fern (Matteuccia Struthiopteris) — <br><br>It also bears "fiddleheads" in early spring; the Ostrich Fern prefers a rich, image 69
Ostrich Fern (Matteuccia Struthiopteris) — Preferring partial to full shade, it flourishes in moist, rich soil
Ostrich Fern (Matteuccia Struthiopteris) — vase-like clumps which can spread to form a dense colony when happily situated; the Ostrich Fern offers, image 93
Ostrich Fern (Matteuccia Struthiopteris) — green backdrop in woodland gardens; well-drained soil and will thrive in part to full shade, image 84
Ostrich Fern (Matteuccia Struthiopteris) — known botanically as Matteuccia struthiopteris; the Ostrich Fern, Matteuccia struthiopteris, is a robust
Ostrich Fern (Matteuccia Struthiopteris) — green backdrop in woodland gardens; well-drained soil and will thrive in part to full shade
Ostrich Fern (Matteuccia Struthiopteris) — fern for half or shade
Ostrich Fern (Matteuccia Struthiopteris) — Preferring partial to full shade, it flourishes in moist, rich soil; which unfurl into the large fronds, image 107
Ostrich Fern (Matteuccia Struthiopteris) — <br><br>It is important to note that while these ferns are low maintenance; fern for half or shade, image 71
Ostrich Fern (Matteuccia Struthiopteris) — An enchanting addition to any woodland or shade garden
Ostrich Fern (Matteuccia Struthiopteris) — it provides dramatic vertical texture and lush; green backdrop in woodland gardens, image 57
Ostrich Fern (Matteuccia Struthiopteris) — is a deciduous perennial that brings an elegant and lush greenery to any shaded landscape design; known, image 61
Ostrich Fern (Matteuccia Struthiopteris) — The Ostrich Fern, Matteuccia struthiopteris, is a robust, crown-forming perennial, thriving in USDA zones 3-7; ideal
Ostrich Fern (Matteuccia Struthiopteris) — The Ostrich Fern, Matteuccia struthiopteris, is a robust, crown-forming perennial, thriving in USDA, image 105
Ostrich Fern (Matteuccia Struthiopteris) — well-drained soil and will thrive in part to full shade; its common name derives from the grand, arching, image 91
Ostrich Fern (Matteuccia Struthiopteris) — thanks to its underground rhizomes; it provides dramatic vertical texture and lush
Ostrich Fern (Matteuccia Struthiopteris) — These ferns typically grow to a height ranging from 3 to 6 feet with a similar spread; a generous layer, image 115
Ostrich Fern (Matteuccia Struthiopteris) — green backdrop in woodland gardens; well-drained soil and will thrive in part to full shade, image 110
Ostrich Fern (Matteuccia Struthiopteris) — These ferns typically grow to a height ranging from 3 to 6 feet with a similar spread; a generous layer, image 89
Ostrich Fern (Matteuccia Struthiopteris) — thanks to its underground rhizomes; it provides dramatic vertical texture and lush, image 94
Ostrich Fern (Matteuccia Struthiopteris) — An enchanting addition to any woodland or shade garden; with its stately, vase-like clumps, it unfurls feather-like
Ostrich Fern (Matteuccia Struthiopteris) — These ferns typically grow to a height ranging from 3 to 6 feet with a similar spread; a generous layer, image 63
Ostrich Fern (Matteuccia Struthiopteris) — A generous layer of mulch will help to maintain soil moisture and keep root systems cool; especially, image 100

Photo courtesy of Proven Winners

Photographs by 10 contributors

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