Common name: ostrich fern

Family name: Onocleaceae

Description: tall, upright medium green fronds with pinnately compound leaves

Flower: n/a

Foliage: very upright early in the season, resembling the feathers of a badminton birdie; attractive and feathery, and a lighter green colour.

Growing conditions: deep/filtered shade, part sun/part shade; bog, humus rich, well-drained soil; moderate water use to wetland conditions.

Height and spread: 0.7-1.3m by 0.6-1.0m

Limitations: loose their upright posture in July and August, so anything planted under them will be covered at this time–can plant flowering plants that are over by July/August so that the ferns cover them when they are spent.

Landscape uses: Ground cover, group or mass planting, herb, mixed shrub border, waterside planting, wetland – bogs, woodland margin. The bright green of the foliage would look nice with the flower of the Gerald Darby iris, and they can be planted in similar locations, as both are tolerant of wet soil.