Matteuccia struthiopteris - OSTRICH FERN
Beautiful native fern for colonizing with fresh green leaves and gracefully opening, narrow vase-shaped clumps.
Award of Garden Merit by Royal Horticultural Society (UK).
Usually 4' tall x 3-4' wide, but spreading by rhizomes to make looser colonies. In ideal conditions even taller, up to 6' tall.
Always starts to emerge in narrow vase clump, but with advanced season the look often changes to wider clump with somewhat arching leaves.
Half shade, shade, medium moist to wet soils, adaptable to many soil types, including clay, prefers consistently moist soils. Tolerates wet, boggy soils.
Hardy in zones 3 to 7, likes cooler conditions (heat zones 1-8).
Native fern to Midwest, north east coast and Canada, see the USDA distribution map.
Easy to grow, showy fern, that isn't bothered by pests or diseases. Deer, rabbit and black walnut resistant plant.
Host plant for caterpillars of Ostrich Fern Borer Moth, that bore in the stems and roots. Colonies provide good environment for wildlife.
Woodland garden, shade gardens, rain gardens. Great companion for medium and bigger Hosta, Astilbe, primulas, native woodland ephemerals like Trilliums etc.
Pot size : square 3.5" x 5" deep pot
Picture copyright : Ryan Somma, Flickr
Matteuccia struthiopteris - OSTRICH FERN
Beautiful native fern for colonizing with fresh green leaves and gracefully opening, narrow vase-shaped clumps.
Award of Garden Merit by Royal Horticultural Society (UK).
Usually 4' tall x 3-4' wide, but spreading by rhizomes to make looser colonies. In ideal conditions even taller, up to 6' tall.
Always starts to emerge in narrow vase clump, but with advanced season the look often changes to wider clump with somewhat arching leaves.
Half shade, shade, medium moist to wet soils, adaptable to many soil types, including clay, prefers consistently moist soils. Tolerates wet, boggy soils.
Hardy in zones 3 to 7, likes cooler conditions (heat zones 1-8).
Native fern to Midwest, north east coast and Canada, see the USDA distribution map.
Easy to grow, showy fern, that isn't bothered by pests or diseases. Deer, rabbit and black walnut resistant plant.
Host plant for caterpillars of Ostrich Fern Borer Moth, that bore in the stems and roots. Colonies provide good environment for wildlife.
Woodland garden, shade gardens, rain gardens. Great companion for medium and bigger Hosta, Astilbe, primulas, native woodland ephemerals like Trilliums etc.
Pot size : square 3.5" x 5" deep pot
Picture copyright : Ryan Somma, Flickr