Botanical Name: Matteuccia struthiopteris
Description: Ostrich fern is a clump-forming, deciduous fern with upright to arching fronds.  It spreads in favorable conditions and is quite impressive in mass plantings.  The medium green fronds are finely dissected, and as the common name suggests, resemble ostrich plumes.  Much shorter brown fertile fronds remain on plants through the winter.  Ferns provide seasonal cover and hiding places for ground frequenting birds such as ovenbirds, waterthrushes, wood thrushes, robins and Carolina wrens.  They also serve as protection for wood and green frogs, tree frogs and toads.
Growing tips: Ferns prefer shade with indirect sunlight and high humidity.  Moist, well-drained soil.
Height: 3-6 feet