Comptonia peregrina is a tough, native deciduous shrub valued for its fine, fern-like foliage and sweet, herbal fragrance when the leaves are crushed.

You can use it to add texture to sunny borders, naturalized areas, and low-maintenance plantings where soils are sandy, gravelly, or otherwise lean. It often spreads by underground shoots over time, forming colonies that look natural and relaxed rather than formal.

Give it full sun to part shade and well-drained soil. It prefers acidic, sandy loams, but it can handle a wide range of difficult conditions, including drought once established and wind exposure. Avoid heavy, poorly drained clay and avoid frequent transplanting; choose its spot carefully and let it settle in.

Mature size is typically 24-60 inches tall with a broad spread, making it useful for massing and for sites where you want durable coverage and seasonal texture. Flowers are not the main feature; the foliage is the show.

Care is simple: water regularly during establishment, then let the plant run on rainfall in most gardens. Minimal pruning is needed beyond shaping or limiting spread where you want a tighter footprint.

Specifications

• Cold hardiness zone: 3-6 (-40 degrees F) - Contact your local extension to confirm hardiness if you are in a fringe zone (we cannot guarantee hardiness in fringe zones)
• Light: Full sun   Part sun
• Mature height: 24-60"
• Spread: 48-96"
• Tolerant of: Drought, Poor Soil
• Fragrant: Yes
• Native to the U.S.: Yes

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Shipping information that applies to all plants:
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Care