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Matteuccia struthiopteris (Ostrich Fern)

Ostrich Fern, Ostrich-Feather Fern, Shuttlecock Fern

AGM Award
Matteuccia Struthiopteris (Ostrich Fern), Ostrich Fern, Ostrich-Feather Fern, Shuttlecock Fern, Shade plants, shade perennial, plants for shade, plants for wet soils
Matteuccia Struthiopteris (Ostrich Fern), Ostrich Fern, Ostrich-Feather Fern, Shuttlecock Fern, Shade plants, shade perennial, plants for shade, plants for wet soils
Matteuccia Struthiopteris (Ostrich Fern), Ostrich Fern, Ostrich-Feather Fern, Shuttlecock Fern, Shade plants, shade perennial, plants for shade, plants for wet soils
Matteuccia Struthiopteris (Ostrich Fern), Ostrich Fern, Ostrich-Feather Fern, Shuttlecock Fern, Shade plants, shade perennial, plants for shade, plants for wet soils

Resembling long, feathery Ostrich plumes, Matteuccia struthiopteris (Ostrich Fern) is an elegant, upright to arching, deciduous fern with showy, finely dissected, fresh green sterile fronds. Emerging at the base of the plant in spring, they gracefully unfurl until they depreciate over the summer and lose their leaflets later in the fall, as the plant goes dormant for the winter. They surround shorter, brownish fertile fronds, which will persist into winter. Low maintenance, pest, and disease-free, Ostrich Fern is a great asset for the bog garden!

  • Clump-forming, it easily grows up to 4-6 ft. tall (90-180 cm) and 3-4 ft. wide (90-120 cm) and naturalizes well, forming superb colonies of erect rosettes.
  • Recipient of the prestigious Award of Garden Merit of the Royal Horticultural Society for its outstanding qualities
  • A part shade to full shade lover, it is best grown in rich, consistently moist soils. Do not allow the soil to dry out. Doesn’t tolerate summer heat or humidity. Mulch this plant to help maintain the soil moisture and keep the roots cool. Wet soils tolerated.
  • This plant is a great choice for shady beds, borders, underplanting of roses and shrubs, cottage gardens, woodlands, rain gardens, or along streams, ponds, or water gardens. Combines beautifully with Astilbes, Hostas, or Primulas.
  • Rabbit, deer, clay & wet soil tolerant!
  • Remove faded fronds regularly and divide plants when crowded.
  • Propagate by sowing spores when ripe or by division in spring. The best time to plant ferns is in spring or fall.
  • Native to North America.

Ferns come in an amazing array of textures, colors, sizes, and shapes. Easy to grow and versatile, they add beauty to almost any spot in the garden. While most ferns enjoy part shade or dappled sunlight, many will perform well in sunny locations, provided they get enough water. Most ferns are slow-growing and may take several years to reach their mature size. Requiring minimal maintenance throughout the year, they offer gardeners plenty of attractive planting options!

Requirements

Hardiness 3 - 7
Heat Zones 1 - 8
Climate Zones 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 14, 15, 16, 17, A1, A2, A3
Plant Type Ferns
Plant Family Onocleaceae
Common names Shuttlecock Fern, Ostrich Fern
Exposure Partial Sun, Shade
Season of Interest Spring (Mid, Late)
Summer (Early, Mid, Late)
Fall
Height 4' - 6'
(120cm - 180cm)
Spread 3' - 4'
(90cm - 120cm)
Spacing 36" - 48"
(90cm - 120cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Average, High
Soil Type Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained, Moisture Retentive, Well-Drained
Characteristics Plant of Merit, Showy
Native Plants Alaska, Connecticut, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Midwest, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Dakota, Northeast, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Southeast, United States, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin
Tolerance Full Shade, Deer, Rabbit, Clay Soil, Wet Soil
Garden Uses Beds And Borders, Ponds And Streams, Rain Gardens, Underplanting Roses And Shrubs
Garden Styles Informal and Cottage, Prairie and Meadow
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Recommended Companion Plants

Primula beesiana (Candelabra Primrose)
Heuchera ‘Obsidian’ (Coral Bells)
Primula pulverulenta (Candelabra Primrose)
Digitalis purpurea (Common Foxglove)
Hydrangea arborescens ‘Annabelle’ (Smooth Hydrangea)
Iris sibirica (Siberian Iris)

Find In One of Our Guides or Gardens

A Charming Plant Combination for Shady Gardens: Hydrangea, Japanese Maple and Boxwood
A Charming Plant Combination for Shady Gardens: Candelabra Primroses, Fern and Bugle
A Fabulous Planting for Wet Soils: Candelabra Primrose and Fern
While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.
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Requirements

Hardiness 3 - 7
Heat Zones 1 - 8
Climate Zones 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 14, 15, 16, 17, A1, A2, A3
Plant Type Ferns
Plant Family Onocleaceae
Common names Shuttlecock Fern, Ostrich Fern
Exposure Partial Sun, Shade
Season of Interest Spring (Mid, Late)
Summer (Early, Mid, Late)
Fall
Height 4' - 6'
(120cm - 180cm)
Spread 3' - 4'
(90cm - 120cm)
Spacing 36" - 48"
(90cm - 120cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Average, High
Soil Type Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained, Moisture Retentive, Well-Drained
Characteristics Plant of Merit, Showy
Native Plants Alaska, Connecticut, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Midwest, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Dakota, Northeast, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Southeast, United States, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin
Tolerance Full Shade, Deer, Rabbit, Clay Soil, Wet Soil
Garden Uses Beds And Borders, Ponds And Streams, Rain Gardens, Underplanting Roses And Shrubs
Garden Styles Informal and Cottage, Prairie and Meadow
How Many Plants
Do I Need?

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