Buzzworthy Blooms in Our Native Gardens This Week

September 04, 2025| Education, Environment

By: Laurie and Marty Kane

As we head toward fall and most plants in our native gardens begin to go dormant, sweet fern (Comptonia peregrina) continues to grow vigorously. Though not known for its flowers, this is an interesting and hardy plant, especially well suited for naturalized areas where it can be left to spread and form colonies. Sweet fern does well in poor soil and can be used to stabilize slopes. Despite its name, it is not a true fern but a small, aromatic, mound-shaped shrub that grows two to four feet tall. Small brown flowers appear in spring before the leaves, which resemble ferns, unfold.

Sweet fern is an important larval host plant for the anise swallowtail butterfly and a wide variety of moths. It also produces small nuts enclosed in bur-like husks, which provide food for birds. Though considered deer-resistant, deer and rabbits will sometimes browse the leaves and stems, particularly in winter when other food is scarce. However, this browsing does not impact the plant long-term. The leaves are very aromatic when crushed and can be used as a seasoning or tea. Historically, Native Americans brewed sweet fern leaves into medicinal teas for colds and fevers, applied poultices to skin irritations, and even used the smoke to repel insects.

We invite you to visit our native gardens at 125 Landing Road, Landing, NJ, to view sweet fern and many other buzzworthy native plants. We hope you’ll be inspired to incorporate native plants into your yard or garden, supporting local wildlife and contributing to a healthier environment!