Comptonia peregrina
sweet fern
Flower Color
Description
A small, suckering, deciduous shrub to around 1.5m tall with slender branches that are downy when young. Aromatic, olive-green leaves up to 10cm long are fern-like in appearance and divided into rounded leaflets. In spring, small, brown, male catkins up to 2.5cm long are borne before or as the leaves appear
Mature Height
2.5m
Mature Spread
2.5m
Plant Characteristics
Foliage
Deciduous
Growth Habit
Bushy
Growth Speed
Moderate · 0.3 m/yr
Soil Texture
ClayLoamSand
Soil pH
AcidNeutral
Soil Moisture
Moist but well-drained
Hardiness (RHS)
H7
Hardiness (USDA)
Zones 2-6
Fragrance
Foliage
Flowering Season
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Key Features
FragrantGenerally pest-freeCoastalCottage and informal gardenBanks and slopesFlower borders and beds