Chamaebatiaria millefolium
Common Name(s):
Desert Sweet
Fern Bush
Synonym:
Sorbaria millefolium
Tansybush
Flower:
White
Blooms :
Jun
to:
Aug
White showy, about 1 cm wide with 5 petals in long terminal clusters
Botanical Description
Fragrant?
YES
Family:
Rosaceae
Med - Lg Shrub (usually >3' and never < 1.5')
Foliage:
Yellow-Green
Leaves alternate, small, 2-8 cm long and compound giving a fern like appearance
Fall Color?
YES
Foliage remains a muted olive-green, the flower heads mature to rusty brown or coppery seed pods, cinnamon bark
Deciduous
Photo by:
Heading 6
Capsule like fruit splits open at maturity and persists through the winter
Oregon Native?
YES
West State Native?
YES
Origins:
Native range from east of the Cascades and Sierra Nevada Mountains from Deschutes County to southern California, east to Idaho, Nevada, Utah, Arizona and New Mexico
Site Selection
Minimum USDA Hardiness Zone:
4
Water Needs:
VL
Sun Needs:
Full Sun
Deer Resistant?
YES
Firewise?
NO
Height:
2-7'
Spread:
3-6'
Growth Rate:
Medium
Native Habitat:
Resident of scrub, woodland, and forests in western North America
Soil:
Sandy or loamy soils. Does not grow well in clay soils.
Care Recommendations
Maintenance Level:
Low
Fertilizer:
A light application of compost can be applied early spring
Mulch:
Pea gravel, landscape rock (5/8" minus or smaller), crushed rock
Benefits from deep watering during extrenely hot dry periods, needs well-drained soil, light pruning in late winter/early spring
Long Term:
Winter:
No watering
Spring:
Prune to maintain shape, remove any winter damaged stems, remove or compost old unsightly yellowish-brown seed heads, give occassional watering if dry
Summer:
Water rarely, give full sun, no pruning or fertilizer
Fall:
Drastically reduce or stop irrigation, leave seed heads
General Care Comments:
Only needs deep watering during extreme drought, needs full sun, excellent drainage, light pruning in spring
Common Problems
Too much or too little water, can get sprawly, can cause icy patches to form on walkways, too deeply planted
Diseases:
Wilt if over-watered
Insects:
Host plant for Nuttal's sheep moth
Environmental Problems:
Dislikes clay soils
Pests:
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