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Matteuccia struthiopteris

Ostrich Fern (Fiddlehead Fern)

Cinnamon-brown, coiled fronds push up to become pale green leaves (fiddleheads) on this tall, large, upright, and easy to grow fern. The unfurling fiddleheads are edible.

  • »  AKA Matteuccia pennsylvanica
  • »  Broad, lance-shaped, pale green fronds
  • »  Smells like freshly mown hay when fronds are broken
  • »  Short dark brown fertile fronds appear in the centre in late summer
  • »  Upright, arching habit
  • »  Spreads vigorously by shallow underground rhizomes
  • »  Deciduous

9cm Potted
$14.88
1gal
$23.63
2gal
$27.83
  • Category:Ferns
  • Hardiness Zone:4
  • Height:90-130 cm
  • Spread:60-90 cm
  • Bloom Color: Non-flowering
Exposure
Full Shade
Partial Sun/Shade
Soil Moisture
Moist to Average
Well-drained
Growth Rate
Fast
Critter
Deer Resistant
Attributes
Native to Ontario
Deciduous
Edible
Low Maintenance
Habit
Clumping
Foliage Color
Green
Landscape uses
Naturalizing
Woodland/woods edge
Planting instructions
Container Plants
Additional Information about Matteuccia struthiopteris

Native to Ontario

Growing & Maintenance Tips for Matteuccia struthiopteris

Matteuccia grows best in a moist to average, well-drained soil, in full shade or partial shade. They will tolerate dry, sunny locations, however, they may brown a little and go dormant earlier in these conditions.