Comptonia peregrina

Sweetfern

This is not a true fern, but looks like one. These deciduous shrubs prefer peaty or dry sandy soil like that found in their native eastern North America. Their narrow leaves are fragrant. Take a lot of abuse, though somewhat difficult to transplant. Often used to cover banks or for woodland and wild gardens. Male flowers grow in short, drooping, spike-shaped clusters, while females have a rounder head. Flowers are followed by clusters of small nuts.

Early settlers used the fernlike leaves of this native shrub to make a tea. Spreads to form colonies.

Attributes - Comptonia peregrina

Plant Type: Shrub

Foliage: Deciduous

Height: 2 ft. to 4 ft.

Width: 8 ft.

Sunlight: Full Sun, Partial Sun

Climate: Zones 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9

Notes: Fragrant.

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