COMPTONIA PEREGRINA / SWEET FERN

COMPTONIA PEREGRINA / SWEET FERN

A Native Shrub with Fragrant Foliage and Low-Maintenance Appeal

Comptonia peregrina, commonly known as Sweet Fern, is a native deciduous shrub admired for its aromatic, fern-like foliage and compact, bushy habit. Thriving in full sun to partial shade with well-drained, acidic soils, Sweet Fern adds texture, fragrance, and ecological benefits to woodland edges, naturalized landscapes, and low-maintenance gardens. Its nitrogen-fixing roots improve soil fertility, making it a valuable companion in native plantings.

Why Choose Sweet Fern?

Native & Wildlife Friendly: Provides cover and habitat for birds and insects.
Fragrant & Ornamental: Aromatic foliage adds sensory appeal and visual interest.
Low Maintenance: Drought-tolerant, long-lived, and easy to grow in acidic soils.
Soil Enhancing: Nitrogen-fixing roots improve soil health for surrounding plants.

Key Features:

Foliage Color: Gray-green, fern-like leaves with fragrant aroma when crushed.
Flower/Seed Color: Inconspicuous catkins in spring; primarily valued for foliage.
Height and Spread: Typically grows 2–4 feet tall and 3–5 feet wide.
Hardiness: Hardy to USDA Zones 3–7.
Sunlight: Prefers full sun to partial shade.
Soil Requirements: Well-drained, acidic soils; tolerates sandy, loamy, or rocky conditions.

Specifications:

Plant Size: 2–4 feet tall, 3–5 feet wide.
Growth Habit: Low, bushy shrub with spreading branches.
Hardiness: USDA Zones 3–7.
Flowering: Inconspicuous spring catkins; foliage is the main ornamental feature.

Ideal Uses:

Woodland & Naturalized Landscapes: Perfect for forest edges and native plantings.
Low-Maintenance Gardens: Thrives with minimal care in acidic soils.
Borders & Shrub Beds: Adds texture, fragrance, and winter interest.
Wildlife Gardens: Provides cover and habitat for birds and insects.

Sweet Fern is a charming and ecologically valuable native shrub. Its aromatic, fern-like foliage, low-maintenance habit, and wildlife benefits make it an excellent choice for woodland edges, naturalized landscapes, and native plant gardens.