Ferns

Ostrich Fern has edible fiddleheads in the spring, followed by tall upward to arching green fronds.  The finely dissected sterile fronds exhibit a feathery appearance resembling long Ostrich plumes, hence the common name.   The fertile fronds appear in mid-summer and persist through the winter.  Easily grown in average, medium to wet soils in part shade to full shade.  Matteuccia struthiopteris is very wet site tolerant and is a deciduous rapid spreader. Relatively sun tolerant, if in a wet location.

Cinnamon Fern has medium green somewhat coarse foliage. The fertile cinnamon-colored fronds appear in early spring, and very upright. Osmunda cinnamomea is very wet site tolerant, and a deciduous creeper. Osmunda fiber used in the potting of orchids comes from the roots of these ferns. Great in rain gardens.

Royal Fern is a tall broad fronded fern that thrives in wet, shady sites.  At 48", it towers over other native ferns and stands out because of its coarse open texture.  Osmunda regalis is a deciduous spreader, slowly colonizing moist woodland settings.  When provided with consistent moisture, Royal Fern ever tolerates full sun.  An excellent tall addition to stream sides, ponds, rain gardens and wet meadows.  Osmunda fiber used in the potting of orchids comes from the fibrous roots of these ferns.