Comptonia peregrina – Sweet Fern

Not a true fern, but a member of the family Myricaceae, and thus a relative of Bayberry and Sweetgale, two shrubs we also carry. All have wonderfully aromatic foliage. Plant Sweetfern along a pathway where pedestrians will brush the foliage and enjoy its unique fragrance. This is a tough shrub: cold hardy to zone 2; thrives in infertile dryish soils, sandy or clayey. Grows wild in both the Shawangunks and Catskills. Look for Sweetfern in our Catskill Mountaintop display garden, just below the upper parking area. Spreads by stolons so it can be used as a ground cover for erosion control on banks. Flowers are insignificant.