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Sweetfern Plant Info Sweetfern is a family of shrubs and small trees measuring 3 to 6 feet (1-2 m.). This cold-tolerant plant thrives in chilly temps of USDA plant hardiness zone 2 to 5, but suffers in warmer climates above zone 6.
- How do you identify Sweetfern?
- What does Sweetfern smell like?
- Is Sweetfern an evergreen?
- Is Sweetfern edible?
- How do you grow Sweetfern?
- Where is sweet fern found?
- What eats sweet fern?
- Do deer like sweet ferns?
- Do ferns smell sweet?
- Is sweet fern invasive?
- Are sweet ferns native?
How do you identify Sweetfern?
Distinguishing Features
Sweetfern is technically categorized as a shrub that has fern-like leaves which are quite aromatic when rubbed. In many cases it has the appearance of being a plant with multiple stems; as it gets larger its branches spread out.
What does Sweetfern smell like?
It is, however, very sweet. Its foliage is packed with so much fragrance that you don't even need to rub the leaves to release the scent. The heat of the summer sun beating down on the leaves releases the unmistakable smell of sweet fern into the surrounding air.
Is Sweetfern an evergreen?
Comptonia peregrina, commonly called sweetfern, is an upright, deciduous shrub (typically growing 2-4' tall) which features simple, narrow, lustrous, pinnatifid, deeply notched, olive to dark green leaves (to 4" long).
Is Sweetfern edible?
Edible parts of Sweet Fern:
The young fruits are eaten as a pleasant nibble. The aromatic leaves, fresh or dried, are used to make a palatable tea. The leaves are also used as a seasoning.
How do you grow Sweetfern?
Sweetferns prefer sandy or gritty, acidic soil, but they tolerate nearly any well-drained soil. Locate sweetfern plants in full sunlight or partial shade. Once established, sweetferns require little supplemental water. These plants rarely require pruning, and sweetfern has no serious problems with pests or disease.
Where is sweet fern found?
This plant is a low maintenance shrub in the Myricaceae family. This native to eastern North America has aromatic foliage that resembles ferns, hence the common name of sweet fern. It is often found along roadsides and is capable of fixing its own nitrogen. It works well in rain gardens or be allowed to naturalize.
What eats sweet fern?
Although sweetfern is not known for its value to wildlife, grouse feed on its buds and catkins, flickers eat the fruits, and white-tailed deer browse the foliage.
Do deer like sweet ferns?
Sweetfern foliage is (largely) deer-resistant. While it deserves a place in our edible gardens, sweetfern is also useful for pure foliage appeal.
Do ferns smell sweet?
The “fern” part of its common name comes from the leaves' resemblance to the foliage of a fern. ... The “sweet“ part of its common name refers to the smell given off by crushing the leaves. To me, it smells like it's in the bayberry family, spicy and sweet.
Is sweet fern invasive?
Sweet fern's ornamental interest includes nutlets and male catkins. More and more ornamental landscape plants are being found to exhibit invasive tendencies. Some of these species have been lost from the nursery trade due to legislative bans or the desire among the gardening public to use fewer invasive plants.
Are sweet ferns native?
USDA Native Status: L48 (N), CAN (N)
A small, aromatic mound-shaped shrub, 2-4 ft. ... Sweet-fern is a member of the wax-myrtle or bayberry family (family Myricaceae), which occurs nearly worldwide, with about 40 species of small trees and shrubs; 5 native tree species and 3 shrub species in North America.
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