Comptonia peregrina (Sweet Fern)

Comptonia peregrina
(Sweet Fern) Small shrub with aromatic foliage that resembles ferns. Thin narrow leaves are 2-4" long, with either flowers/catkins produced in clusters at ends of branches depending upon sex of the plant. Leaves give off a sweet scent when crushed. Grows in openings in coniferous forest in well-drained, dry, acid, sandy or gravelly soils. Fixes nitrogen, so does well on disturbed sites or sites with sterile soil. Drought/salt tolerant; native to North America. Full sun/part shade. 2-4', Z2-6.