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A mature Ostrich Fern (Matteuccia struthiopteris) growing in a residential garden bedFoliage

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Ostrich Fern

Matteuccia struthiopteris

Ostrich Fern is a fast-growing perennial, hardy in USDA zones 3-7, that matures to about 3-6 ft × 5-8 ft. It does best in part shade and full shade with high water needs in well-drained and occasionally-wet soil. It stands up well to deer and wet soil.

USDA zones
3-7
Sun
Part shade, Full shade
Water
High
Mature size
3-6 ft × 5-8 ft
Growth rate
Fast
Maintenance
Medium
Soil
Well-drained, Occasionally-wet
Tough against
Deer, Wet soil
Native to
Europe, eastern Asia, eastern North America

Freeze survival

Will it survive your winters?

We score Ostrich Fern’s freeze-trouble range against the real coldest nights your area has recorded.

Powered by ~35 years of daily lows from the nearest NOAA weather station. A risk read, not a guarantee — a sheltered spot or mature plant beats the odds.

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