Introduce a touch of texture and fragrance to your garden with Comptonia peregrina, commonly known as Sweetfern. This native deciduous shrub features finely textured, fern-like leaves that emit a delightfully sweet scent when brushed or crushed. Sweetfern thrives in poor, sandy, or rocky soils and is highly adaptable, making it an excellent choice for challenging sites, such as slopes or dry, infertile areas. Its low-growing, spreading habit and ability to fix nitrogen enrich the soil, supporting healthy ecosystems.

Why Choose Sweetfern?

• Fragrant Foliage: Aromatic, fern-like leaves release a sweet, pleasant scent, adding sensory appeal to your garden.
• Low Maintenance: Thrives in poor, dry soils and requires minimal care, making it perfect for xeriscaping and low-water gardens.
• Erosion Control: Spreading roots stabilize soil, making it ideal for slopes, sandy sites, and erosion-prone areas.
• Wildlife-Friendly: Provides habitat and food for pollinators, beneficial insects, and wildlife.

Cultivation Tips

• Sunlight Needs: Prefers full sun but can tolerate partial shade, especially in well-drained soils.
• Soil Preferences: Thrives in sandy, rocky, or acidic soils and tolerates nutrient-poor conditions.
• Watering Requirements: Drought-tolerant once established, requiring little to no supplemental watering.
• Spacing: Plant 3-5 feet apart to allow for its spreading habit and to create a dense, natural groundcover.

Design Ideas for Your Garden

Sweetfern is an excellent choice for naturalized landscapes, dry gardens, or areas with poor soils. Use it to stabilize slopes, line pathways, or as a low-maintenance groundcover in sunny areas. Pair it with other native plants like Little Bluestem or Wild Indigo for a cohesive and drought-tolerant design.

Ecological Benefits

Comptonia peregrina supports pollinators by providing nectar for bees and other beneficial insects. Its nitrogen-fixing properties improve soil fertility, benefiting nearby plants. The dense growth habit also provides shelter for small wildlife, making it an eco-friendly choice for sustainable gardens.

Enhance your garden with the beauty, fragrance, and ecological benefits of Comptonia peregrina – Sweetfern. This resilient native shrub is a practical and attractive solution for challenging sites and eco-conscious landscapes.