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.

PRN Preferred:  If space allows, Ostrich Fern is an excellent colonizer.  Very beautiful in the woodland garden or a container.  

• Category: Ferns
• Hardiness Zone: 3
• Height: 48 Inches
• Spread: 60 Inches