The unfurling of the Ostrich ferns is one of the magical moments of May. This ever-expanding patch of them has intruded into the new lawn I seeded last year, so they will be whittled down, but it’s fun to watch them unfurl first. I’ll transplant them into the side yard where they can run rampant through the pachysandra beneath a giant oak tree. It’s a shaded and secret space, perfect for the delicate appearance and underlying hardiness of these ferns.
They will also do quite well in relatively strong sun, which is where this grouping stands, provided you deliver a regular source of water. The more the better, and they will rise in the bright sunlight to over four feet if given enough consistent moisture. Be wary though – if you can’t supply water on the regular they will rust and turn brown and brittle by the end of July. That still happens in the warmest of summers.
For now, their freshness is indicative of this early stretch of May – all chartreuse and architectural glory in the form of these wondrous fronds.
