Comptonia peregrina

Comptonia peregrina | sweetfern

Named for its highly aromatic fern-like foliage, sweetfern is actually a deciduous shrub that prefers full sun and well-drained soils. As a pioneer species, sweetfern is commonly found in areas affected by a recent disturbance, such as fire or logging, and as a nitrogen fixer, sweetfern thrives on poor soils, making it very useful for erosion control and steep slopes. But this aromatic and attractive plant should not be reserved only for tough sites! It is a small (maturing to just 3’ tall) and beautiful shrub that can be incorporated into any sunny garden with well-drained soils. We especially love to use this near walkways and outdoor areas where it adds excellent fragrance when brushed up against in passing or in late fall when its deciduous leaves drop. Plants sporadically hold curling leaves at the shoot tips past fall, adding charming winter interest along with its developing catkins. Highly drought tolerant once established.