How to Care for Your Giant Ostrich Fern: Essential Tips for Healthy Growth

The Ostrich Fern (Matteuccia struthiopetris) is native to eastern North America. The fern grows in large, vase-shaped clusters known as crowns. As its name suggests, the fern has showy, sterile fronds resembling an ostrich's tail feathers. It has deciduous green fronds that grow vertically up to 65 inches in height and 13.8 inches in breadth. The fronds are dimorphic, with differing male and female fronds.

Why the Giant Ostrich Fern is Perfect for Shady Gardens

Like other fern species, it prefers growing in damp, shady areas that receive indirect sunlight. This fern can grow in different soil types, including clay, loam, and sand. It is a common ornamental plant cultivated by people in their gardens. When grown, they first produce sterile shoots known as fiddleheads. The fiddleheads can be cooked as vegetables and are a popular delicacy in the rural parts of northeastern North America. The fronds, which produce fronds, grow a few weeks after fiddleheads and are primarily involved in reproduction.

The fronds can grow up to 20 inches in height. While Ostrich Fern can develop naturally from spreading spores, it is best to acquire them from a trusted agronomist. Under optimal conditions, they can spread quickly and form new, dense colonies through their underground rhizome roots. Their feature, coupled with their showy nature, enables them to create pleasing views wherever they grow. It is one of the largest fern species growing in the world.

Enhance Your Landscape with the Majestic Giant Ostrich Fern 

Giant Ostrich ferns are easy to care for and maintain. Their maintenance is primarily cosmetic and usually involves clearing debris from the plant during its dormant phase. A little fertilizer and frequent watering will go a long way in keeping the ferns healthy. Another thing that makes them a low-maintenance plant is their resistance to deer and rabbits. They are suitable for shady gardens and can do better as a household plant.

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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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