Ostrich Fern Matteuccia struthiopteris have large, dark green fronds with a vase shaped growth. Ostrich Fern is a charming tropical looking fern for specimen use. Ostrich Fern have fertile fronds that arise 6 - 12 inches in the center of the clump around midsummer, turning brown by fall. Ostrich Fern's are aggressive spreaders, to say the least.
How to Grow: Ostrich ferns are native to marshy areas, little islands, and deltas of shallow streams and creeks. Plant them in humus-rich, moist soil in part to full shade. Plants will tolerate some sun, but will need much more moisture to keep them looking good into late summer. Plants grow from dense, underground runners that spread out in every direction. Crowns can be dug up and replanted in the spring and early summer, planting them right at the level of the soil.
Landscape uses: Ostrich ferns make excellent background plants in the shade garden. Plant them with hostas and other tough perennials and shrubs. Thin plants out as necessary. If you don't want them to take over a garden, restrict them to large areas or areas where their spreading can be controlled.
Planting Bare Root Ferns
Ferns grow mostly in lightly shaded to full shade areas. They prefer moist, rich
humus soil with a slightly acidic pH (5.3 to 5.5 pH range). Sphagnum peat moss
is good to add to the soil for holding moisture and will add some acid to the soil as it decomposes.
The hole should not only be large enough to hold the frond, but allowing at least an inch or two from the top of the frond to the top of the hole. The smaller ferns, such as Maidenhair, can be planted about 18 to 24 inches apart. Ostrich, Christmas and
Royal Ferns grow larger and should be planted no closer than 24 inches apart.
Top with a good layer of mulch (shredded bark mulch, aged compost or aged manure mix) or a light layer of straw for added moisture and to keep the ground cool. Water
as needed to keep the soil moist.
As the ground warms in late spring, the fronds will begin sprouting.
The question will often come up as to which end is up on the fronds. Sometimes
the tip is visual on the top portion and other times there will be root hairs extending from the bottom. If in doubt, the frond can be planted in a sideways position.
