Sweetfern- Comptonia peregrina

Hold your breath....actually, don't! This deciduous shrub has one of the most amazing, gentle smells. The woodsy, sage-like smell emanates from its leaves when they are brushed against or crushed. It doesn't have any flowers to speak of, but is an important host plant for a few butterflies. The foliage itself is lovely featuring slender fern-like leaves and branches and forms a fairly neat shrub shape. As a stoloniferous plant, it will slowly create a colony through branches that touch the ground and root. It is naturally found in dry infertile, sandy soils but also tolerates moist conditions. Does best in acidic soils. Full sun to partial shade.