Name: Matteuccia struthiopteris aka ostrich fern, or fiddlehead fern

Type of Plant: This fern is native to several parts of the world including eastern North America. They are very hardy and will grow in part to full shade in all types of soil as long as the area is moist.

Why I Love/Hate this plant: I love this plant from spring to fall. It is one of the early plants to break dormancy, with their fiddlehead forms coming up in April. Then they have fresh, bright green fronds all summer and now they are turning golden in the fall.

 A Word to the Wise: These are not drought tolerant plants. Be sure to place them in the wettest place you have. Also, they spread. So if you have a small garden, and don’t want to have ostrich fern try to take over, plant a lady fern instead.

At this time of year the ostrich fern is a beautiful, golden color.

In the spring, these are some of the first plants to break dormancy.

All summer the bright green fronds are graceful in the landscape. These make good greenery for bouquets as well!