Giant Ostrich Fern

Matteuccia Struthiopteris - Giant Ostrich Fern

Usage In Landscaping

Preferring wet‚ shady habitats‚ these ferns are commonly found near the banks of streams‚ rivers, and other waterways․ While they are also commonly used as ornamentals in landscaping‚ many of the genera have a wide natural distribution in a variety of habitats around the world․

Other Uses of Giant Ostrich Fern

Fronds are used in floral arrangements, and the fern is popular as a foliage plant for gardens․ The fern is often used in shade gardens as well as being a popular landscaping plant with a tropical effect․

They were named in reference to the appearance of their developing fronds in spring‚ with each fiddlehead (the name given to the tightly coiled‚ young fronds of a fern) unfurling delicately from the ground․

Appearance

Adult fronds are long-tapering to the base and short-tapering to the tip․ The mature fronds are plume-like and undulating‚ resembling those of an ostrich․ They grow in a crown or as a colony fern․ Where To Grow In the wild‚ they grow on riverbeds and sandbars‚ spreading out runners to new crowns‚ making them resistant to destruction by floodwaters․ They also grow in dense colonies․ It is advised not to plant it where full sun could ruin the foliage․ The Fern is used as an ornamental plant, and it holds the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit․ The edible fiddleheads of the plant are considered a delicacy in many places around the world․ Ferns are harvested by growers who have been doing so for hundreds of years․ The best time to harvest starts at the end of April and finishes at the end of the first week of June․ The process starts when a fiddlehead emerges and lasts until the stem is 6 inches (15 cm) long․ The fronds can be picked while still tightly coiled‚ and then cooked and eaten just like any firm-stemed leafy vegetable‚ such as the stalk piece of a broccoli plant․ They have a unique flavor that some have described as a combination of asparagus‚ artichokes‚ and green peas‚ somewhat similar to a feral nature․ When mature‚ it is three to six feet in height and width․ Bloom season: Non-flowering․ Sun or shade preferred: While the leaves of this fern tolerate partial sunlight‚ they are usually planted in full shade in northern areas․

Where To Grow

In the wild‚ they grow on riverbeds and sandbars‚ spreading out runners to new crowns‚ making them resistant to destruction by floodwaters․ They also grow in dense colonies․

Ferns are harvested by growers who have been doing so for hundreds of years․ The best time to harvest starts at the end of April and finishes at the end of the first week of June․ The process starts when a fiddlehead emerges and lasts until the stem is 6 inches (15 cm) long․

When mature‚ it is three to six feet in height and width․

Bloom season: Non-flowering․

Plant bare-root stock as soon as it arrives, in well-drained soil with full to partial sun unless noted otherwise above. Water deeply once a week during the first growing season to establish a strong root system.

Dug and shipped bare-root during your zone's dormant window, packed to arrive fresh. Every order is backed by our first-season establishment guarantee — we'll replace it for you.