Giant Ostrich Fern - Matteuccia Struthiopteris

The Giant Ostrich Fern is a large fern species native to North America, Europe, and Asia. It is known for its tall fronds, which can reach heights of up to six feet (1.8 meters) and widths of up to three feet (0.9 meters).

Usage In Landscaping

These ferns prefer moist, shady environments and are commonly found growing near streams, rivers, and other bodies of water. They are often used in landscaping as decorative plants but can grow wild in many parts of the world.

Giant Ostrich Fern's Other Uses

The Fern is also known as the "shuttlecock fern" due to the shape of its fronds resembling a badminton shuttlecock. It is a deciduous fern, meaning its fronds die in winter, and new growth emerges in spring. It is a highly adaptable species and can grow in various soil types, from sandy loam to heavy clay. It is a fast-growing fern and can quickly spread through underground rhizomes to form large colonies.

The fronds are used in floral arrangements and as a decorative foliage plant in gardens.  The Fern is a popular plant for shade gardens and is often used in landscaping to provide a lush, tropical look. It is a tough plant that can survive temperatures as low as -40°F.

They initially received its name based on the appearance of its maturing fronds. The plant's fiddleheads (the name given to a fern's tightly wound, immature fronds) begin their growth by coiling delicately from the earth each spring.

Appearance

Mature fronds are long-tapering to their base but short-tapering to their tips and possess a distinct, plume-like quality. They also tend to undulate and so often resemble ostrich feathers. These ferns are both crown and colony-forming plants.

Where To Grow

When appearing in the wild, they prefer to grow along riverbeds and sandbars, reaching their runners out to form new crowns that become dense colonies. As such, they are resistant to destruction by floodwaters.

However, care must be taken when planting them in sunny areas, as direct sun exposure can damage their otherwise attractive appearance. While the Fern is a popular ornamental plant and has even gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit, it also possesses edible fiddleheads, considered a delicacy in many regions.

Growers have been harvesting these ferns for centuries. The best harvests from ferns can be had from late April to early June, starting from the fiddleheads' first emergence and continuing until their stem height reaches approximately 6 inches or 15 cm.

These ferns should also be picked while tightly coiled. Once harvested, they can be prepared much like broccoli stems or any other firm, green vegetable. While their taste is unique and wild, it has often been compared to a mix of asparagus, artichokes, and green peas.

Mature height: Three to six feet (with a spread of nearly equal size).

Bloom season: Non-flowering.

Sun or shade preferred: While the this fern will tolerate partial sunlight, it should typically be planted in full shade in northern climates.

This Is How Your Plants Will Look upon Delivery

Choose early spring or fall when the soil is moist and cool to plant healthy bare-root ferns. You can also use dormant plants to grow year-round. When you arrive, please soak the roots in water for several hours to rehydrate them. Ferns thrive in moist and shaded areas. Dig a hole wide and deep enough to spread out the roots comfortably. Position the fern so the crown (where the roots meet the fronds) is just at or slightly below ground level. Gently backfill with soil firmly around the roots, and thoroughly water to settle the soil and eliminate air pockets. Apply a 2-3 inch layer of mulch for weed control and to retain moisture, ensuring the mulch does not touch the crown. Water during dry periods is used to keep soil moist but not soggy. Avoid fertilizing in the first year, as ferns prefer nutrient-rich soil over direct fertilization.

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