Hollinshead Water-wise Garden Plants

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Photo:

Pat Kolling

Desert Sweet

Fern Bush

Latin Name:

Chamaebatiaria millefolium

Clusters of white rose like flowers and very aromatic foliage

Taxon ID#

18 MAINTENANCE

Maintenance Level:

Low

Min. USDA Hardiness Zone:

4 Sun Preference:

Full Sun

Water Preference:

VL

Soil Preference:

Sandy or loamy soils. Does not grow well in clay soils.

Fertilizer Needs:

Recommended Mulch:

Family:

Rosaceae

Origins:

Plant Type:

Med - Lg Shrub (usually >3' and never < 1.5')

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

Oregon native:

yes

Western state native:

yes

PLANT DESCRIPTION

Foliage Color:

Yellow-Green

Foliage Description:

Leaves alternate, small, 2-8 cm long and compound giving a fern like appearance

Fragrant:

yes

Predominant flower color:

White

Flower Description:

White showy, about 1 cm wide with 5 petals in long terminal clusters

Fall color:

no

Fall Color Description:

Winter Foliage:

Deciduous

Winter Interest:

yes

Winter Interest Description:

Capsule like fruit splits open at maturity and persists through the winter

Mature height:

2-7'

Mature spread:

3-6'

Growth rate:

Medium

LANDSCAPE APPLICATION

Deer Resistant:

yes

Fire Resistant:

no

Attracts Pollinators:

yes

Attracts Butterflies:

yes

Native Habitat:

Resident of scrub, woodland, and forests in western North America

Attracts Birds:

no

Cut/Dried Flowers:

no

Photo:

Pat Kolling

Used by Wildlife:

no

Hedge/Screen:

yes

Swales:

no

Wildlife Use:

Border:

yes

Erosion Control:

no

Windbreak:

no

Cover Structures:

no

Ground Cover:

no

Provides Shade:

no

Rock Garden:

no

Adds Texture/Movement:

no

First Bloom:

Jun

Last Bloom:

Aug

Ornamental Accent:

yes

Garden Observations:

SEASONAL CARE

Spring Care:

Summer Care:

Fall Care:

Winter Care:

Long Term Care:

Insect Pests:

No serious pests

Wildlife Pests:

Diseases:

No serious diseases

Environmental Problems:

Dislikes clay soils

Landscape Problems:

None

Care Comments:

RESOURCES

OSU Landscape Profile:

https://landscapeplants.oregonstate.edu/plants/chamaebatiaria-millefolium

USDA Plants:

https://plants.sc.egov.usda.gov/core/profile?symbol=CHMI2

Calscape Database:

https://calscape.org/Chamaebatiaria-millefolium-(Fern-Bush)?srchcr=sc5faf1b5c9de

Hollinshead Water-wise Garden Plants

Photo:

Pat Kolling

Desert Sweet

Fern Bush

​

Latin Name:

Taxon ID#

18

MAINTENANCE

Low

Min. USDA Hardiness Zone:

4

Sun Preference:

Full Sun

Water Preference:

VL

Soil Preference:

Sandy or loamy soils. Does not grow well in clay soils.

Fertilizer Needs:

​

Recommended Mulch:

​

Family:

Origins:

Plant Type:

Med - Lg Shrub (usually >3' and never < 1.5')

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

Oregon native:

yes

Western state native:

yes

PLANT DESCRIPTION

Foliage Color:

Yellow-Green

Foliage Description:

Leaves alternate, small, 2-8 cm long and compound giving a fern like appearance

Fragrant:

yes

Predominant flower color:

White

Flower Description:

White showy, about 1 cm wide with 5 petals in long terminal clusters

Fall color:

no

Fall Color Description:

​

Winter Foliage:

Deciduous

Winter Interest:

yes

Winter Interest Description:

Capsule like fruit splits open at maturity and persists through the winter

Mature height:

2-7'

Mature spread:

3-6'

Growth rate:

Medium

LANDSCAPE APPLICATION

Deer Resistant:

yes

Fire Resistant:

no

Attracts Pollinators:

yes

Attracts Butterflies:

yes

Native Habitat:

Resident of scrub, woodland, and forests in western North America

Attracts Birds:

no

Cut/Dried Flowers:

no

Photo:

Pat Kolling

Used by Wildlife:

no

Hedge/Screen:

yes