Sweet Fern

Comptonia Peregrina

Design with this plant

Overview

Sweet Fern, Comptonia peregrina, is a deciduous North American shrub, reaching 2-4 ft in height, thrives in zones 3-8. Preferring full sun to part shade, it exhibits fragrant, fern-like foliage and catkin-like flowers. Adaptable to poor, sandy soils, and is drought-resistant once established. Ideal for naturalized areas, it offers erosion control and attracts wildlife. Note: Not a true fern but part of the bayberry family.

Sun FullWater MediumZones 2–6

Sweet Fern (Comptonia Peregrina) — is a deciduous North American shrub

Sweet Fern (Comptonia Peregrina) — reaching 2-4 ft in height

Sweet Fern (Comptonia Peregrina) — Preferring full sun to part shade, it exhibits fragrant, fern-like foliage and catkin-like flowers

Sweet Fern (Comptonia Peregrina) — Ideal for naturalized areas, it offers erosion control and attracts wildlife

Sweet Fern (Comptonia Peregrina) — Adaptable to poor, sandy soils, and is drought-resistant once established

Sweet Fern (Comptonia Peregrina) — Note: Not a true fern but part of the bayberry family

Sweet Fern (Comptonia Peregrina) — offering a unique addition to your landscape design with its aromatic

Culture

Sun: Full
Water: Medium
USDA zones: 2–6

Shape & size

Mature height: 4–11 Ft.
Mature width: 6–8 Ft.

Classification

Family: Myricaceae

See full data, regional cultivation notes, full-resolution photos, and design tools. Build a client presentation around this plant.

Start your 14-day trial

Photos (27)

Sweet Fern (Comptonia Peregrina) — is a deciduous North American shrub

Sweet Fern (Comptonia Peregrina) — reaching 2-4 ft in height

Sweet Fern (Comptonia Peregrina) — Preferring full sun to part shade, it exhibits fragrant, fern-like foliage and catkin-like flowers

Sweet Fern (Comptonia Peregrina) — Ideal for naturalized areas, it offers erosion control and attracts wildlife

Sweet Fern (Comptonia Peregrina) — Adaptable to poor, sandy soils, and is drought-resistant once established

Sweet Fern (Comptonia Peregrina) — Note: Not a true fern but part of the bayberry family

Sweet Fern (Comptonia Peregrina) — offering a unique addition to your landscape design with its aromatic

Sweet Fern (Comptonia Peregrina) — is a North American native shrub

Sweet Fern (Comptonia Peregrina) — This deciduous plant typically reaches a height of 2 to 4 feet

Sweet Fern (Comptonia Peregrina) — with a comparable spread of 4 to 8 feet

Sweet Fern (Comptonia Peregrina) — rounded shape that can add texture and variety to your garden

Sweet Fern (Comptonia Peregrina) — burr-like nutlets that persist into the fall

Sweet Fern (Comptonia Peregrina) — which measure about 2 to 5 inches long

Sweet Fern (Comptonia Peregrina) — are deeply lobed and emit a sweet fragrance when crushed

Sweet Fern (Comptonia Peregrina) — hence the name "Sweet Fern."<br><br>Thriving in USDA Hardiness Zones 3 through 8

Sweet Fern (Comptonia Peregrina) — Comptonia peregrina is remarkably adaptable but prefers full sun to partial shade

Sweet Fern (Comptonia Peregrina) — but it does require well-drained

Sweet Fern (Comptonia Peregrina) — acidic conditions for optimal growth

$Sweet Fern (Comptonia Peregrina) — It\'s particularly tolerant of sandy and rocky soils$

Sweet Fern (Comptonia Peregrina) — making it an excellent candidate for challenging sites.<br><br>In late spring

Sweet Fern (Comptonia Peregrina) — yellow-green catkins appear

Sweet Fern (Comptonia Peregrina) — The foliage turns a rusty brown in autumn, providing seasonal interest

Sweet Fern (Comptonia Peregrina) — the Sweet Fern is known for its ability to fix nitrogen in the soil

Sweet Fern (Comptonia Peregrina) — improving fertility over time.<br><br>This low-maintenance shrub rarely encounters pest or disease problems

Related plants

Pacific Wax Myrtle (Myrica Californica) — The Pacific Wax Myrtle, Myrica californica, is an evergreen shrub native to the Pacific Coast

Pacific Wax Myrtle

Myrica Californica

Full · Zones 7–10

Wax Myrtle (Morella Cerifera) — a versatile evergreen shrub

Wax Myrtle

Morella Cerifera

Full · Zones 7–10

Bayberry (Myrica Pensylvanica) — scientifically named Myrica pensylvanica

Bayberry

Myrica Pensylvanica

Full · Zones 7–10