Sweetfern
Comptonia peregrina
With leaves reminiscent of fern fronds and a sweet scent to the foliage, it’s easy to see how Sweetfern got its name. However, Sweetfern is definitely not a fern. It’s a shrub – a low-maintenance, adaptable, and lovely shrub at that! With its fine-textured foliage, dense habit, and bay-like fragrance, Sweetfern adds a bit of flair to any garden. Use to control erosion, create a low screen, or colonize that tough, droughty garden area. And don’t forget to pick a leaf or two as you pass to enjoy the scent!
Conditions: Full sun to part shade; dry to moist soils
Size: 2′ – 5′ tall, 3′ spread
Zone: 2 – 6
Wildlife Value: Larval host for several moth and butterfly species, including Gray Hairstreak
