Comptonia - Sweet Fern

(Compto'nia)

DESCRIPTION: This group consists of one hardy, deciduous shrub native to North America. C. peregrina (Sweet Fern) is a small, suckering shrub that grows from 3 to 4 feet high. It has graceful, fernlike, aromatic foliage that can be cut for indoor decoration. This shrub has downy stems covered with dark green, pinnate leaves. The male flowers are borne in brown catkins, in the spring, and the female flowers are produced in globular inflorescences.

POTTING: Grow Sweet Ferns in moist, peaty, acidic soil, in part shade to full sun. They are difficult to transplant.

PROPAGATION: This shrub can be increased by division and by sowing seeds in the spring or fall.

VARIETIES: C. peregrina.

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