Ostrich Fern

Ostrich fern forms tall, upright rosettes of finely divided green fronds, with shorter brown fertile fronds appearing later in summer. It is deciduous and spreads by underground runners, gradually forming colonies that suit a moist woodland border or a large shaded background planting. Mature fronds commonly reach about 3–5 feet, and the colony can spread about 5–8 feet or farther where runners extend. The species is hardy in USDA zones 2–8. Give it cool, shaded conditions with moisture-retentive, organic soil that drains well; avoid letting the root zone dry out. [RHS](https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/10920/matteuccia-struthiopteris/details) · [Iowa State University Extension](https://yardandgarden.extension.iastate.edu/how-to/growing-ferns-iowa). ## Maintenance Keep the soil evenly moist and enrich it with compost or leaf mold, while avoiding prolonged standing water. In spring, clear mulch gently around emerging fiddleheads. Remove dead or damaged fronds as needed; divide or edge the colony if its runners move beyond the space you have set aside.