Garden Goods Direct | Ostrich Fern

The Ostrich Fern (Matteuccia struthiopteris) is a gorgeous deciduous fern that gets its name from its massive, tall, fertile fronds that resemble ostrich plumes. The Ostrich Fern can grow up to six feet tall and three feet wide, so be sure to plant this ground cover somewhere with space to roam. The ideal growing conditions are moist, cool soil, so you will often find them near ponds and streams. These popular shade perennials are cold-hardy, deer resistant, moisture tolerant, pest resistant, and rabbit resistant. In early spring, curly green fronds emerge and unfurl into the famously dramatic greeny. At maturity, the Ostrich fern can reach up to 6 feet wide, spreading by underground rhizomes. Once peak summer has passed, the front starts to wild, turning dark brown and eventually losing their leaflets by winter when they become dormant.