Comptonia peregrina

Sizes available: 2 quart

Basics: zones 2-6, 24-36 x 36-48", full sun to part shade, the mid spring bloom is a small greeenish catkin that matures into a bristly little burr containing 1-4 nutlets, very drought tolerant, prefers acidic soils with good drainage, is very adaptable, however, and can take moister soils.

Common names: Sweet Fern

Family: Myricaceae

Origin/Distribution: Nova Scotia to Saskatchewan, Canada south to Georgia, Kentucky, north to Illinois and Minnesota

Habitat: dry woodland that isn't too shady, sandy spots, roadsides, often grows associated with pines

More: A fragrant, durable native shrub with an open branching structure and thick, textured leaves reminiscent of fern fronds. This is a beautiful plant that is a very adaptable non-legume nitrogen-fixer excellent for erosion control or as part of a shrub understory for part shade. According to Van Berkum Nursery, Comptonia peregrina is the only living species of this genus, although others occur in the fossil record.

Host plant for Bucculatrix paroptila, a member of the Ribbed Cocoon-maker moths, the Setaceous Hebrew Character, Xestia c-nigrum, the Io moth, Automeris Io, and the Coleophora comptoniella, which is one of the Birch Case-bearer moths. All of these are native to Maine. However, non-native members of Coleophora may also feed on our native plants in the Myricaceae family.

Nursery: Van Berkum

Image credits: Honey Petal Plants