Price range: $39.99 through $79.99
Edible Native Plants, Pollinator Plants, Rain Gardens
2 to 5'
1 Gallon, 3 Gallon
May, June, July, August
Green, White
Dry, Medium, Moist
Sandy to loamy; well-drained
2, 3, 4, 5, 6
Part shade, Part Sun, Full sun
CT, DE, GA, IN, KY, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, NC, NH, NJ, NY, OH, PA, RI, SC, TN, VA, VT, WI, WV
Sweetfern (Comptonia peregrina) is a small, mounding, deciduous shrub that grows naturally in dry open woods, roadsides, and sandy barrens. The foliage is aromatic when crushed and resembles fern fronds, hence the common name. The catkins that appear in April attract bees, butterflies, and other pollinators, while the nutlets provide food for songbirds and other wildlife. Sweetfern is commonly used in rain gardens and on hillsides as erosion control. It is the larval host to the Grey Hairstreak butterfly (shown above).
Parts of Sweetfern are also edible. The young fruits can be eaten as a pleasant nibble, while the aromatic leaves, fresh or dried, can be used to make a palatable tea. The leaves can also be used as a seasoning.
Direct Native Plants ships from our nurseries in Middle River, Maryland, and Woodstock, Illinois. Orders are shipped via FedEx Ground from these locations and typically arrive at most destinations within two (2) business days from the day they ship.
To get your plants to you as quickly and efficiently as possible, we ship orders based on current inventory availability and your proximity to our nurseries. This helps ensure faster delivery and the best experience for your order. In some cases, items in the same order may ship from different locations.
