Ostrich Fern Onoclea struthioptersis 

Ostrich Fern: Onoclea struthioptersis, which some call an ostrich fern, is a crown-forming plant native to temperate regions of North America. This perennial species grows in damp forests and swampy areas from Canada to the south and western regions. 

Ostrich ferns are an attractive plant that can cover bare spots in your garden. They are resistant to common garden problems and are easy to care for. You can enjoy a fresh, vibrant garden with lovely foliage elements with little care.

TN Nursery recommends the ostrich fern for bringing lively greenery and exciting textures to a shade or semi-shade garden.

Ostrich Fern Gets its Name

Ostrich ferns can grow pretty tall. The plants usually reach four to five feet high, but the most towering recorded height of the species is a grand six feet.

The plant grows in erect clusters. Each frond has a sturdy, bright green center stem and pairs of leaves with a gently-rounded saw tooth texture. The crowning glory gives the ostrich fern its name. Each fertile frond forms a rosette crown in a lush green hue. The rosette title curves inward to form a tight coil.

That bend gives the impression of an ostrich trying to bend down its head to hide. Thus, the rosette coil provides the descriptive household name for Onoclea struthioptersis.

Where to Grow Onoclea struthioptersis

The fern grows in light soil and prefers constant moisture. This fern tolerates a cool climate and moderate sunlight but prefers semi-shades to full shade.

The widespread ostrich fern enjoys excellent popularity in semi-shaded gardens and along the foundations of buildings. Fiddlehead ferns are hardy perennials that can withstand temperatures as low as -4 degrees Fahrenheit.

Use it in a border garden (near the back due to its height), in a wooded area where grass cannot thrive, or along the shaded foundation of your home. If you have a barren shady section of your landscape, fiddlehead fern will bring it to life.

Fiddlehead Fern is available online at TN Nursery

TN Nursery provides customers with freshly dug fiddlehead ferns only after receiving each order. You can order confidently, knowing you will receive healthy and fresh ferns.