Deciduous shrubs – non-flowering – Sweetfern
Sweetfern
Botanical name: comptonia peregrina
Beginner friendly?: yes
Average size at maturity: up to 5 ft in height with up to an 8 ft spread
Hardy zone: zones 3-8
Foliage color: green, yellow, orange, brown
Growth rate: grows 6-12 inches per year
Pruning instructions: prune to maintain desired size and shape in the spring
Propagation methods: propagate with cuttings
Landscape use: foundation planting, great for naturalizing areas
Light needs: about 4 hours of sun per day
Special features: insect repellant
Watering instructions: water when the first 2 inches of soil have dried out
Fertilizing instructions : use an all purpose plant food slow-release fertilizer once a year in the spring
Best time to plant: spring or fall
Best type of soil: loam/sand
Companion plants: creeping juniper, prairie dropseed, joe-pye weed, milkweed, dogwood
Toxicity level: non-toxic for humans and mildly toxic for pets if ingestedÂ
Invasive species: no
