Comptonia peregrina Comptonia peregrina

Common Name(s):

Sweet Fern

Description

Low maintenance fern in the Myricaceae family. This native to eastern North America has aromatic foliage that resembles ferns, hence the common name of sweetfern. It is often found along roadsides and is capable of fixing its own nitrogen. It works well in rain gardens or be allowed to naturalize. Once established, it can spread rapidly to form colonies.

Seed: Nutlet

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No significant insect or disease problems.

Cultivars:

Tags:

#fragrant #deciduous #rain garden #orange leaves #fragrant leaves #red leaves #aromatic #yellow leaves #low maintenance #naturalize #playground #wet sites #children's garden

Comptonia peregrina — Leaves Sten Porse CC-BY-SA-3.0

Cultivars:

Tags:

#fragrant #deciduous #rain garden #orange leaves #fragrant leaves #red leaves #aromatic #yellow leaves #low maintenance #naturalize #playground #wet sites #children's garden

Attributes:
Genus:

Comptonia

Species:

peregrina

Play Value:

Wildlife Enhancement

Whole Plant Traits:
Plant Type:

Shrub

Leaf Characteristics:

Deciduous

Habit/Form:

Erect

Maintenance:

Low

Flower:
Flower Color:

Brown/Copper

Green

Flower Description:

This plant has brown male catkins. It also has female flowers.

Leaves:
Leaf Characteristics:

Deciduous

Leaf Color:

Gold/Yellow

Green

Orange

Red/Burgundy

Leaf Value To Gardener:

Fragrant

Hairs Present:

No

Leaf Description:

Leaves can be green or a mixture of red, orange, or yellow.

Stem:
Stem Color:

Brown/Copper

Red/Burgundy

Stem Is Aromatic:

No

Landscape:
Landscape Location:

Naturalized Area

Recreational Play Area

Landscape Theme:

Children's Garden

Rain Garden

Resistance To Challenges:

Wet Soil