Sweet Fern
Aromatic deciduous shrub reaching 1-1.5 m tall. Features deeply lobed, fern-like leaves and inconspicuous flowers. Prefers acidic, well-drained sandy soils and full sun to partial shade. Nitrogen-fixing through root nodules, improving soil for companion plants. Spreads by underground rhizomes to form colonies. Drought-tolerant once established. Suitable for naturalized areas, slopes, and acidic soil gardens. Native to eastern North America.
Plant Details
Bloom Colour: Brown (catkins)
Bloom Time: Early to Mid-Spring
Sun Requirements: Sun to Part-Shade
Moisture: Dry to Moist-Drained
Phenology: Male catkins appear before leaves in April. Female flowers develop May. Leaves emerge late April-May. Fruits ripen August-September as small burr-like structures. Yellow-bronze fall color develops October. Aromatic qualities most pronounced in summer heat.
Wildlife Value: Important early pollen source for native bees; fruits eaten by grouse and other game birds; provides cover for small mammals; nitrogen-fixing improves soil for other plants
Habit Over Time: Creates expanding colonies that remain at consistent height. New shoots emerge throughout growing season from underground rhizomes. Can fill large areas over time while maintaining uniform appearance.
Height: Medium (2-4 feet)