Matteucia struthiopteris
Ostrich Fern, Fiddlehead Fern
- Main interest:
- large elegant arching fronds, edible fiddleheads
- Exposure:
- partial to full shade
- Soil humidity:
- moist soil
- Growth type:
- slow running
- Foliage:
- green
- USDA Hardiness:
- zone 4a: -34.5 °C (-30 °F) View Zone Map
- Mature height & width:
- height: 4 ft (1.2 m) width: 3 ft (0.9 m)
- Use:
- woodland garden, shade garden, foundation, mass planting, ground cover, wet areas, naturalizing
Ostrich Fern (Matteucia struthiopteris) is a popular, highly ornamental, large fern. Clump-forming, arching, and upright, it will reach 4 feet tall and 3 feet wide. It has two sets of fronds - one sterile and one fertile. The showy parts of the Ostrich Fern are the sterile fronds, which have the feathery appearance of ostrich plumes. They emerge in spring as curled "fiddleheads", and unfurl to a maximum length of 4 feet. They then form a huge vase-like crown around the taller, much less showy fertile fronds of the previous season, which are erect, spike-like and dark brown. (The fertile fronds emerge in mid-summer, and persist through the winter.)
Mattheucia struthiopteris spreads quickly by underground rhizomes, and needs plenty of space to grow. This Fiddlehead Fern is perfect for planting in swathes at woodland edges and large borders. Harvest edible “fiddleheads” in early spring. Easily grown in average, medium to wet soils in part shade to full shade. Best in rich soils with constant moisture. Fiddlehead Fern prefers cool summer climates. Avoid windy sites.
- Main interest:
- large elegant arching fronds, edible fiddleheads
- Exposure:
- partial to full shade
- Soil humidity:
- moist soil
- Growth type:
- slow running
- Foliage:
- green
- USDA Hardiness:
- zone 4a: -34.5 °C (-30 °F) View Zone Map
- Mature height & width:
- height: 4 ft (1.2 m) width: 3 ft (0.9 m)
- Use:
- woodland garden, shade garden, foundation, mass planting, ground cover, wet areas, naturalizing
Ostrich Fern (Matteucia struthiopteris) is a popular, highly ornamental, large fern. Clump-forming, arching, and upright, it will reach 4 feet tall and 3 feet wide. It has two sets of fronds - one sterile and one fertile. The showy parts of the Ostrich Fern are the sterile fronds, which have the feathery appearance of ostrich plumes. They emerge in spring as curled "fiddleheads", and unfurl to a maximum length of 4 feet. They then form a huge vase-like crown around the taller, much less showy fertile fronds of the previous season, which are erect, spike-like and dark brown. (The fertile fronds emerge in mid-summer, and persist through the winter.)
Mattheucia struthiopteris spreads quickly by underground rhizomes, and needs plenty of space to grow. This Fiddlehead Fern is perfect for planting in swathes at woodland edges and large borders. Harvest edible “fiddleheads” in early spring. Easily grown in average, medium to wet soils in part shade to full shade. Best in rich soils with constant moisture. Fiddlehead Fern prefers cool summer climates. Avoid windy sites.
Synonym(s): Matteuccia pensylvanica, Matteuccia struthiopteris var. pensylvanica
Also known as: Ostrich-feather Fern, Shuttlecock Fern
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