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PLANT BASE

Matteuccia struthioptheris

Ostrich Fern

Height
Spread
Growth
habit
3-7
3-6'
5-8'
Form                           Lifecycle              Hardiness zone*
Vase-shaped
Fern
Perennial

APPEARANCE
Bloom time
Bloom color
---
Violet/ pinkish
USE FOR
Seasonal interest
ENVIRONMENT
Terminal clusters
Light
Water
Soil
Soil pH
Clay, Loam, Sand
Average
Soil Preference
Rich, constantly moist soils
ENVIRONMENTAL TOLERANCE
Heavy shade, Clay soil, Wet soil, Erosion
HABITAT & NATIVE RANGE
Shady woodlands, stream banks, lowlands
Canada, North Eastern US, south to Virginia, west to Missouri, Nebraska, and North Dakota
BROWSE TOLERANCE
Heavy shade, Clay soil, Wet soil, Erosion
Tolerance to browse by animals typically happens once plants are established. Young plants may still be quite susceptible.
SUGGESTED MAINTENANCE & COMMON PROBLEMS
Divide every 2-3 years, don't add thick mulch as will cause rot
Can become aggressive
COMPANION PLANTS
Red trillium,Solomon's seal,Black cohosh
COMPANION TREES & SHRUBS
NOTES

For more information, check out these fantastic sources! 

VIEWS:

Spring 2019

LAWN GONE NATIVE

An honors thesis by Zoe Roane-Hopkins

Thesis Advisor

Ken Tamminga

Honors Advisor

Larry Gorenflo

Schreyer Honors College

College of Arts & Architecture

Department of Landscape Architecture

THE PENNSYLVANIA STATE UNIVERSITY

LAST UPDATED  November 2022

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