One of the largest and most popular ferns in cultivation today. The dark green, pinnate fronds are shaped like ostrich plumes, being much wider at the top and tapering down to a bare stipe.
The first set of leaves is sterile and has a gracefully arching form. These leaves can reach heights of 6' in ideal environments. This set of leaves dies back by early to midsummer and is replaced by a set of fertile, dark green leaves which are about half the height of the sterile ones. These leaves turn a shiny bronze-gold in fall, becoming brown in winter.
Ostrich ferns need plenty of space to grow since they are rapid spreaders. They spread by dense underground runners which extend out in all directions, quickly forming colonies.
Height:
3.0-6.0 Feet
Spread:
3.0-4.0 Feet
Hardiness Zones:
3,4,5,6,7
Foliage Color:
Green shades
Sunlight:
Full Sun (> 6 hrs. Direct Sun) Part Shade (4-6 hrs. Direct Sun) Full Shade (< 4 hrs. Direct Sun)
Water Requirements:
Average Water Needs Consistent Water Needs
Soil Quality:
Average Soil Quality Fertile Soil Quality
Soil Chemistry:
Acidic Soil (pH < 7.0) Neutral Soil (pH = 7.0)
Critter Resistant:
Deer Resistant Rabbit Resistant
Growth Rate:
Rapid
Garden Style:
Eclectic Rain Garden Woodland Shade
Other Features:
Bog Plant Border Plant Cut Foliage Ground Cover Attractive Foliage
Origin:
Native to North America
Native to marshy areas and creekbeds, Ostrich ferns prefer to be grown in moist, humus-rich soil with a neutral pH. If planted in cool, moist locations, they will tolerate full sun. In general, however, they prefer open shade.
Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit -- 1993
Height:
3.0-6.0 Feet
Spread:
3.0-4.0 Feet
Hardiness Zones:
3,4,5,6,7
Foliage Color:
Green shades
Sunlight:
Full Sun (> 6 hrs. Direct Sun) Part Shade (4-6 hrs. Direct Sun) Full Shade (< 4 hrs. Direct Sun)
Water Requirements:
Average Water Needs Consistent Water Needs
Soil Quality:
Average Soil Quality Fertile Soil Quality
Soil Chemistry:
Acidic Soil (pH < 7.0) Neutral Soil (pH = 7.0)
Critter Resistant:
Deer Resistant Rabbit Resistant
Growth Rate:
Rapid
Garden Style:
Eclectic Rain Garden Woodland Shade
Other Features:
Bog Plant Border Plant Cut Foliage Ground Cover Attractive Foliage
Origin:
Native to North America
Native to marshy areas and creekbeds, Ostrich ferns prefer to be grown in moist, humus-rich soil with a neutral pH. If planted in cool, moist locations, they will tolerate full sun. In general, however, they prefer open shade.
Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit -- 1993
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