How fast do ostrich ferns spread?
Once established, ostrich fern spread can reach roughly one additional square foot (. 09 mˆ²) per growing season. Over time, this spread can crowd, shade, or completely overtake other more diminutive shade plants. This attribute is especially troublesome for those with limited growing space.
How much sun can ostrich ferns take?
The optimum amount of sun or shade each plant needs to thrive: Full Sun (6+ hours), Part Sun (4-6 hours), Full Shade (up to 4 hours).
How far apart should you plant ostrich ferns?
Space your Ostrich Fern 36 to 48 inches apart. Growing up to 7 feet tall and spreading out about 4 feet wide, you are going to need plenty of room to grow.
What happens to ostrich ferns in the winter?
Dying back in winter, the fronds appear vigorously in the early spring, popping out of the ground almost overnight. The clumps also increase in size every year for a lush dramatic ground cover. Dark brown fertile fern fronds bearing spores appear later in the season and people often mistake them for dead fronds.
What looks good with ostrich fern?
Ostrich Fern pairs well with many other native and shade plants, such as, Sweet Fern (Comptonia peregrina), Astilbes (Astilbe spp.), Large White Trillium (Trillium grandiflorum), Bloodroot (Sanguinaria canadensis) or Hostas (Hosta spp).
Do you cut back ostrich ferns?
4. Pruning: Occasional trims are necessary because dense colonies of fern spread aggressively through underground rhizomes. Trim back your ostrich ferns in early spring as new growth emerges.
Do ostrich ferns spread?
In their ideal growing conditions, ostrich ferns can be aggressive spreaders. Keep this in mind when planting, as they can quickly fill a garden space and may outcompete less robust neighbors. Ostrich ferns spread via underground rhizomes and can be controlled by regular division to keep them in check.
What is the best time to plant ferns?
springFerns are best planted in spring or autumn, as this gives them time to settle in before any extremes of hot or cold weather.
Are ostrich ferns poisonous to dogs?
The Ostrich Fern is not toxic to dogs and cats so you can keep them in your home or garden without much concern. They also aren't toxic to humans so you don't need to worry about them having around your children who will likely pick things up and put them in their mouths.
Do ostrich ferns need a lot of water?
Keep them out of direct light and keep them moist. Be prepared though for an occasional dormant season where your plant needs time to rejuvenate. Ostrich fern houseplants need plenty of water and humidity levels that are higher than what is normally found indoors.
How do you prepare ostrich ferns for winter?
Clip off the fronds at the base when they go dormant in fall. The fertile fronds in the center keep an attractive appearance much longer than the outer green fronds, so these can be left until they also turn brown at some point in the winter. Ostrich fern is not troubled by any pests or disease.
Why do ostrich ferns turn brown?
The most frequent problems with Ostrich Ferns result from too much or too little water. Overwatering will cause yellowing, wilted fronds, and underwatering causes them to turn brown and dry. Also be aware that Ostrich Ferns tend to spread out and take over, potentially crowding out other plants.
Where should I plant ostrich ferns?
This fern grows in part to full shade. Generally, open shade is best. Leaves may turn yellow and burn if exposed to full sun. Only if planted in an especially cool, moist location will it tolerate full sun.
Why do ostrich ferns turn brown?
The most frequent problems with Ostrich Ferns result from too much or too little water. Overwatering will cause yellowing, wilted fronds, and underwatering causes them to turn brown and dry. Also be aware that Ostrich Ferns tend to spread out and take over, potentially crowding out other plants.
Do ostrich ferns spread?
In their ideal growing conditions, ostrich ferns can be aggressive spreaders. Keep this in mind when planting, as they can quickly fill a garden space and may outcompete less robust neighbors. Ostrich ferns spread via underground rhizomes and can be controlled by regular division to keep them in check.
Where is the best place to plant a fern?
Most ferns prefer a shady location, but they don't do well in deep shade. The dabbled shade provided by tree branches provide the best conditions. Think about how they grow in the forest and try and find similar conditions in your yard.
What are the traits of ostrich ferns?
A unique trait of ostrich ferns, like a few other fern families, is that these plants have separate fertile and infertile fronds. The sterile fronds are what most people initially think of: large, bright green leaves. They emerge in spring and are held right alongside the previous year's fertile fronds.
What is an ostrich fern?
A staple plant of woodland gardens, the ostrich fern boasts stately, large upright fronds that resemble the large feathers of their namesake bird. They create a lovely backdrop for other plants and spread to easily fill a garden space. In spring, the numerous fiddleheads of emerging foliage can also be picked for a snack as ...
How to keep ostrich ferns from browning?
Keeping them evenly moist to almost wet yields lush growth. Avoid letting this fern dry out, which leads to browning and drying of the foliage. Dry soil also results in slower, smaller growth. Ostrich ferns prefer shady conditions.
When do ostrich ferns emerge?
Colorful Combinations. More textural than colorful, ostrich ferns develop impressively large fronds of bright green foliage. When they first emerge in spring, their iconic fiddleheads are probably some of the most photographed plants in the garden.
How big do sterile fescue leaves get?
They emerge in spring and are held right alongside the previous year's fertile fronds. Come fall, these leaves turn a bright golden color. While the sterile leaves can reach impressive sizes of 3 or 4 feet tall, the fertile leaves generally reach only about 2 feet tall.
Do ostrich ferns need more sun?
The more sun they are in, the more moisture they require. In warmer climates, any more than part sun can also lead to foliage burn and additional water requirements. In general, ostrich ferns prefer cooler climates and struggle in warm southern climates. Related: The 21 Best Flowers for Wet, Soggy Soil in Your Garden.
Can ostrich ferns be spread?
In their ideal growing conditions, ostrich ferns can be aggressive spreaders. Keep this in mind when planting, as they can quickly fill a garden space and may outcompete less robust neighbors. Ostrich fern spreads by underground rhizomes and can be controlled by regular division to keep them in check.
How tall does an ostrich fern grow?
Once established, it will grow to a height of three to six feet (1 to 2 m.) with a spread about the same. Ostrich fern grows in vase-shaped clumps called crowns.
What is an ostrich fern?
Ostrich fern grows in vase-shaped clumps called crowns. The showy, arching, sterile fronds are plume-like and reminiscent of the tail feathers of the bird from which the common name is derived. When growing an ostrich fern, you’ll notice other, shorter fronds that emerge a few weeks after the initial fiddleheads.
What is the name of the ostrich fern that grows in the spring?
Ostrich Fern Fiddleheads. Once you know how to grow ostrich ferns and have a good bed established, you might want to try harvesting fiddleheads for a springtime dinner treat. Fiddleheads are the first ostrich fern shoots to show in the spring and are so-called because of their resemblance to the neck of a fiddle.
How long are fertile fronds?
These are the fertile fronds that produce spores for reproduction. These fertile fronds are much shorter, only 12-20 inches (3 0.5 to 51 cm.) long, and will remain standing long after the larger fronds have died back in dormancy.
Can ostrich ferns be indoors?
Thinking of bringing this exotic-looking bit of nature indoors? Ostrich fern houseplants do well as long as their outdoor growing conditions are met. Keep them out of direct light and keep them moist. Be prepared though for an occasional dormant season where your plant needs time to rejuvenate.
Can you grow ostrich ferns from spores?
There are no special tricks to learning how to grow ostrich ferns. While they can be grown from spores, it’s best to order plants from a reputable grower. Your plants will usually arrive as dormant, bare roots packed in moss or wood shavings and are ready for planting.
Do ostrich ferns need water?
Be prepared though for an occasional dormant season where your plant needs time to rejuvenate. Ostrich fern houseplants need plenty of water and humidity levels that are higher than what is normally found indoors. Misting will help.
What is an ostrich fern?
Resembling long, feathery Ostrich plumes, Matteuccia struthiopteris (Ostrich Fern) is an elegant, upright to arching, deciduous fern with showy, finely dissected, fresh green sterile fronds. Emerging at the base of the plant in spring, they gracefully unfurl until they depreciate over ...
How long does it take for a fern to grow?
Most ferns are slow growing and may take several years to reach their mature size. Requiring minimal maintenance throughout the year, they offer gardeners plenty of attractive planting options! Buy Matteuccia struthiopteris (Ostrich Fern) Add to Collection. Add to Any Collection.
Do ferns grow in shade?
Ferns come in an amazing array of texture, color, sizes and shapes. Easy to grow and quite versatile, they add beauty to almost any spot in the garden. While most ferns enjoy part shade or dappled sunlight, there are many which will also perform well in sunny locations, provided they get enough water.
What are Ostrich Ferns?
Ostrich ferns ( Matteuccia struthiopteris) are perennial ferns that are indigenous to the Northern Hemisphere, including the temperate areas of Northern Europe, Northern Asia and Northern North America. In North America they are hard in zones 3 – 7.
How to Grow Ostrich Ferns
Purchase your ferns from a local native plant nursery. Don’t try transplanting them from the wild. Populations of native plants are declining rapidly due to habitat loss and climate change.
How to Divide Ostrich Ferns
Ostrich ferns spread very rapidly so you will want to divide them regularly to keep them in check. Spring, as the fiddleheads are emerging, is the best time to divide your ferns. Use a garden fork to lift the root mass.
Benefits
Distribution and habitat
- Matteuccia struthiopteris is native to North America and grows quite well in USDA plant hardiness zones 3-7. Once established, it will grow to a height of three to six feet with a spread about the same. Ostrich fern grows in vase-shaped clumps called crowns. The showy, arching, sterile fronds are plume-like and reminiscent of the tail feathers of t...
Reproduction
- When growing an ostrich fern, youll notice other, shorter fronds that emerge a few weeks after the initial fiddleheads. These are the fertile fronds that produce spores for reproduction. These fertile fronds are much shorter, only 12-20 inches long, and will remain standing long after the larger fronds have died back in dormancy.
Cultivation
- There are no special tricks to learning how to grow ostrich ferns. While they can be grown from spores, its best to order plants from a reputable grower. Your plants will usually arrive as dormant, bare roots packed in moss or wood shavings and are ready for planting. Ostrich ferns should be planted in a shallow hole that has plenty of room for spreading roots. Make sure the crown sits j…
Culture
- Thinking of bringing this exotic looking bit of nature indoors? Ostrich fern houseplants do well as long as their outdoor growing conditions are met. Keep them out of direct light and keep them moist. Be prepared though for an occasional dormant season where your plant needs time to rejuvenate.
Environment
- Ostrich fern houseplants need plenty of water and humidity levels that are higher than what is normally found indoors. Misting will help.
Diet
- Once you know how to grow ostrich ferns and have a good bed established, you might want to try harvesting fiddleheads for a springtime dinner treat. Fiddleheads are the first ostrich fern shoots to show in the spring and are so called because of their resemblance to the neck of a fiddle. These are the sterile shoots that will grow into the largest fronds.
Preparation
- Pick no more than half from each crown while they are small and tightly curled. Before cooking, wash them carefully and remove the brown papery covering. Fiddleheads can be boiled or steamed and are a particular treat when sautéed in bacon drippings with a bit of garlic. Make sure to cook them thoroughly and use only ostrich fern fiddleheads.
Quotes
- Fixing a problem area with lush and beautiful growth and providing an otherwise expensive delicacy for your springtime table, all while needing very little care, ostrich ferns can be the ideal solution for filling that damp, shady spot.