Comptonia peregrina – Sweet Fern

A hard-to-come-by, exotic-looking Eastern US Native shrub. The sweet-smelling deciduous leaves are most noticeable when exposed to full sun on the hottest summer days, or when they are crushed. The plant works well for erosion control, especially on sandy slopes and in sunny mountainous areas with very thin soil. Root suckers form colonies once established. A lovely addition to a native plants garden, permaculture design, or to just fill an area, at maturity Sweet Fern reaches 2-4′ tall, and the attractive fern-like leaves grow up to 4″ long. This plant has a significant history of medicinal use by the Indigenous Peoples of Eastern N. America, as well as being employed by folk healers in the US and Canada up to the present day. Additionally, the seeds can be eaten for the short duration that they can be obtained from the plant, while the leaves can be brewed into a pleasant tea. As an added benefit, clumps of leaves can be thrown onto a fire to repel mosquitoes and other flying insects.

Sweet Fern is versatile – ideal for moist conditions, windy locations, dry and infertile soils, and rocky outcrops. Very tolerant of drought, but highly intolerant of transplanting. Unique among non-leguminous plants, Sweet Fern fixes its own nitrogen with the help of soil bacteria, which may explain why the plant can be so difficult to transplant. Sweet Fern is also a host plant to a variety of Butterfly and Moth larvae.

Plant in full sun to part shade. Prefers very sandy, acidic soil but will tolerate a range of conditions once established. No significant insect or disease pests.