Ostrich Ferns just like many other type of ferns prefer to live their life in the shade. Best Ferns for Filtered Sun or Full Shade Yard 18. Brown fronds appear in fall persisting through the winter and can be spray painted adding an interesting touch to floral arrangements. I grow mine in full sun but then I don't have the excessive heat of more inland areas of North America. Attributes: Tolerates Wet Soils Deer Resistant. Perennials and ferns for dry shade. Tassel fern (Polystichum polyblepharum) is a striking, 18- to 24-inch fern that grows best in full or partial shade. The fern generally occurs in forested wetlands or along creeks. When picked in early spring, its fiddleheads are delicious. Mix in compost and peat moss on lighter soils, and cultivate compacted soils before planting. How to grow ferns. Ostrich fern grows best with some sun to partial shade and moist soil. The ostrich fern is able to tolerate some sun but only if its soil is kept adequately moist. Soft shield fern. The ostrich fern is low maintenance and easily grows up to 6 feet tall and 4 feet wide. Matteuccia struthiopteris, or Ostrich Fern, is a 2-6 foot tall fern with erect, dark green fronds. Ostrich Fern. Ferns are versatile, and there are many types to grow to suit your garden. The stiff fertile fronds grow in the middle of each clump, are 2 feet high and last into the winter. The ferns survived and did very well; the hosta -- once a shadey spot became sunny -- did not do well.) The common ostrich fern, Matteucia struthiopteris, is reputed to be very sun-tolerant. Growth Rate: Medium. A tall, native fern. This fern is adaptable, but consistent moisture and partial shade will keep it looking fresh all summer. This fern grows best in moist soils with some sun exposure, preferably in the morning, avoiding hot afternoon sun. In all climates, they need protection from afternoon sun to prevent drying and leaf scorch. One of the most common native ferns, growing all over northern regions. An ostrich fern in dry soil will be unable to cope with direct sun and will suffer from scorched leaves. DESCRIPTION: The most common and recognizable of the ferns, this is a very tough and hardy plant, featuring tall lacy fronds all season long; spreads aggressively and may require some control; grows best in shade with rich, moist soil; great for textural effect BOTANICAL NAME: Matteuccia struthiopterisAVERAGE MATURE HEIGHT: 90 cmAVERAGE MATURE SPREAD: 140 cmSUN EXPOSURE: Partial sun … Exposure. Leaf Color: Green. Ferns are relatively light feeders compared to many other foliage plants. Ostrich Fern Matteuccia struthiopteris (2 REVIEWS) 5. 36 - 72" Spread. Ostrich fern will spread fast by underground rhizomes, thus it is an exceptional shade ground cover where it has room to roam, and intermingle with equally vigorous shade plants. I'm surviving the winter by planning the landscaping for my as-yet untouched backyard (will till whole thing under and start from scratch) I'd like to plant a moist shade border along an ugly chainlink fence. Other types of fern to grow include maidenhair ferns and Japanese fersn. Deciduous. (This was in a formerly shadey spot where the ostrich ferns had been naturalized with hosta. smord. This shade plant grows best in rich, moisture retentive soil. In spring the unfurling fiddleheads are often harvested in the wild as a gourmet treat. MATTEUCCIA / OSTRICH FERN – Ostrich Fern Matteuccia struthiopteris Common Name: MATTEUCCIA / OSTRICH FERN - Ostrich Fern Type: PERENNIALS Zone 3-7 Height: 48-72" Spread: 36-48" Bloom: Non-flowering Sun Needs: Sun or Shade Description: The dark green, pinnate fronds are shaped like ostrich plumes, being much wider at the top and tapering down to a bare stipe. Hi! Ostrich Fern (Matteuccia struthiopteris) A plant well suited to the darkness, ostrich fern bears feathery fronds that emerge from a crown of rhizomes every spring. Roots are spreading, and plants can form quite a large patch in time. USDA Zones– 5 – 9. Spring; Summer; Fall; Mature Size. The easy, maintenance-free perennial is a always a sure sign that spring has sprung. Boston ferns require a cool environment with partial shade or full shade, as their fern fronds are easily scorched in direct sun. See all reviews. Mature Height: 3ft to 5ft. Contrary to other ferns, this fern has only a single species, the Matteuccia struthiopteris, better known as the ostrich or fiddlehead fern. Polystichum setiferum. Shelter from wind or leaves get ratty. 3. 72" 48" Height. Ostrich Ferns prefer moist to wet soils in shade to part sun. Ostrich ferns are among some of the most sun-tolerant ferns. 1. Features. Shop 1 million plants online including trees, shrubs, perennials, annuals, and vegetables. Mature Shape: Upright. Find out the best ferns to grow in your garden, below. They grow well in wet areas, near streams or ponds. Description. Cincinnati's Place for Plants! With its soft, green-gray, delicate fronds, this plant also introduces a touchability factor to a wide range of landscape locations from shade to sun. It prefers morning sun and light shade throughout the day. Sun Exposure: Likes Part Shade to Shade. It sometimes aggressively spreads by rhizomes on wet, rich soil. Very popular for its stately, vase-shaped form, Ostrich Fern spreads quickly to cover large areas. These ferns are well suited for part shade to full shade areas with moist soils. When grown in masses or used as a bedding plant, individual plants should be spaced approximately 3 feet apart. Description. Fertilization. Recommendations for growing Ostrich Fern. Sun exposure: Full sun to part shade. Ostrich Fern 21 Best Ferns for Your Garden – Ostrich Fern. Plant ferns in part to full shade and rich, well-drained soil. Matteuccia Struthiopteris Ostrich Fern 24 Spectacular Shade Garden Perennials – Matteuccia Struthiopteris Ostrich Fern. Ostrich fern (Matteuccia struthiopteris) produces 3 foot arching fronds. I can remember planting salvia in front of some established ostrich ferns that were in full sun and both flowers and ferns did well. Some ferns grow in sun while others prefer shade. Nearly … 4. Maidenhair fern: Featuring dark stripes and bright green, delicate fronds, maidenhair ferns require a humid climate and moist soil rich in organic matter. One of the many best ferns! Deciduous shade tolerant trees. It grows in dense, arching clumps of glossy green foliage, and it is ideal for groundcover and slope/erosion control. Mature Width: 3ft to 6ft. Give it plenty of space in the landscape because it can get to be quite large. Spreads slowly by underground stems. Perennials and ferns for deep shade. Cinnamon Fern (Osmunda cinnamomea), one of the tallest of the native ferns, grows in full sun or light shade in ordinary garden soil and will grow even taller in consistently moist, even wet, soil. Ostrich Fern: USDA Zone: 2-9: Plant number: 9.045.050. Few ferns are as architectural. Gardening in the shade gives an overview of the subject and an explanation of how to identify the different degrees of shade. 19. Ferns even look great as potted plants. Plants form a large, upright clump of big green fronds.