Ostrich Fern
Matteuccia struthiopteris
The Ostrich Fern is a big, bold, beautiful dark green fern with large fronds that can reach 4-5 feet at maturity! With their very large size and vase shaped growth habit, these ferns can make quite a statement as a background plant in your shade garden, or as a specimen plant, or to naturalize in a dappled shade area of your yard. One caution to share is that they are aggressive spreaders, sending out underground runners, and you may find you will have more than enough plants to share after two or three years.
The Ostrich Fern thrives in humus rich, moist soil, but mine have had no problem in just decent composted soil. Adding sphagnum peat to your soil if it is too sandy or full of clay will go a long way towards making them happy. A general purpose slow release fertilizer once in spring is more than adequate to ensure maximum growth in these easy to grow ferns. They prefer part to full shade, but will accommodate some sun if watered more frequently. Best of all, in our ever exploding deer population, you won't find a single nibble taken from these wonderful ferns!
By: Sandy Weinkam
A.J. Rahn Greenhouses
The Ostrich Fern thrives in humus rich, moist soil, but mine have had no problem in just decent composted soil. Adding sphagnum peat to your soil if it is too sandy or full of clay will go a long way towards making them happy. A general purpose slow release fertilizer once in spring is more than adequate to ensure maximum growth in these easy to grow ferns. They prefer part to full shade, but will accommodate some sun if watered more frequently. Best of all, in our ever exploding deer population, you won't find a single nibble taken from these wonderful ferns!
By: Sandy Weinkam
A.J. Rahn Greenhouses
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