Sweetfern
Comptonia peregrina
Also listed as Liquidambar peregrina, Myrica peregrina
Also known as Fern-gale
Climate Match for your location
See how well Sweetfern grows in your area.
Enter your ZIP code and we'll show you how this plant fits your local climate.
A deciduous shrub prized for its aromatic, finely divided foliage that resembles fern and turns bronze-red in autumn. Tiny fragrant brown flowers appear in spring, followed by nutlike fruits.
Why grow it
Sweetfern offers early-season interest with fragrant foliage and flowers when many shrubs are still dormant, plus reliable autumn color in bronze-red tones. It tolerates poor, sandy, or acidic soils where many ornamental shrubs struggle, making it useful for erosion control and site remediation. The aromatic foliage and persistent nutlike fruits distinguish it from typical ferns or fern-leaved shrubs, though it lacks the evergreen habit of some competing species.
Watch out for
This species spreads by rhizomes and can gradually expand beyond its intended planting area, requiring occasional monitoring in smaller gardens. It prefers full sun to partial shade and dislikes heavy clay or consistently wet soils, so site selection matters for long-term vigor. Pruning can be necessary to maintain shape, as plants may become leggy or open over time without intervention.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Myricaceae
Native to the United States
Native Range
Eastern North America
Native to: Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, North Carolina, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, Vermont, Wisconsin, West Virginia
Seasonality
Harvest Season
Edible Parts
Season of Interest
Shrub
Woody multi-stem plants at eye level.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Flood Tolerance
Deer Resistance
Inferred from USDA browse palatability
pH Range
Soil Texture
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Propagation
A deciduous shrub prized for its aromatic, finely divided foliage that resembles fern and turns bronze-red in autumn. Tiny fragrant brown flowers appear in spring, followed by nutlike fruits.
Climate Match for your location
See how well Sweetfern grows in your area.
Enter your ZIP code and we'll show you how this plant fits your local climate.
Why grow it
Sweetfern offers early-season interest with fragrant foliage and flowers when many shrubs are still dormant, plus reliable autumn color in bronze-red tones. It tolerates poor, sandy, or acidic soils where many ornamental shrubs struggle, making it useful for erosion control and site remediation. The aromatic foliage and persistent nutlike fruits distinguish it from typical ferns or fern-leaved shrubs, though it lacks the evergreen habit of some competing species.
Watch out for
This species spreads by rhizomes and can gradually expand beyond its intended planting area, requiring occasional monitoring in smaller gardens. It prefers full sun to partial shade and dislikes heavy clay or consistently wet soils, so site selection matters for long-term vigor. Pruning can be necessary to maintain shape, as plants may become leggy or open over time without intervention.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Myricaceae
Native to the United States
Native Range
Eastern North America
Native to: Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, North Carolina, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, Vermont, Wisconsin, West Virginia
Seasonality
Harvest Season
Edible Parts
Season of Interest
Shrub
Woody multi-stem plants at eye level.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Flood Tolerance
Deer Resistance
Inferred from USDA browse palatability
pH Range
Soil Texture
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Propagation
Similar shrubs you might consider:
Enter your ZIP code to see top native species and strong climate fits for you.