Fernbush

Fernbush (Chamaebatiaria millefolium)

By: Laurie McGrath

While often considered native to New Mexico, fernbush is actually native to rocky, dry mountain slopes in Arizona, Colorado, Utah, California, and Oregon. But since state borders mean little to plants, it is easy to see how fernbush, also known as desert sweet, arrived in New Mexico and has fared so well here.Local landscape designer Judith Phillips likes fernbush for its “finely cut evergreen foliage and profuse white flower clusters.” For gardeners new to our arid climate, it can serve as a substitute for white lilacs as one transitions to a more native and habitat-friendly garden. The flowers are magnets for native bees. Mature plants have attractive bark and require little to no maintenance. No known pests or diseases.Planting and care:  Fernbush thrives in full sun to part shade and well-drained soil, though according to Mike Bone, plant propagator at Denver Botanic Garden, it can adapt to clay soil. Light fertilization at planting helps get it established. While it is drought tolerant once established, Phillips recommends periodic deep watering during hot, dry spells to maintain the density of its foliage. If you are a tidy gardener, you can shear the spent blooms. Or leave them on the plant for winter interest and some added insulation during the coldest months.Landscape use:A good choice for areas that may be difficult to water, as an accent plant, or as a border, fernbush pairs well with other drought-tolerant native perennials and grasses and can be a neutral backdrop for stronger colors.Propagation:Seeds require cold stratification if planted in spring (two to four weeks at 40 degrees Fahrenheit or below). They can also be planted in the fall. Seeds are very small and should not be covered with soil. Plants are commercially available.Plant type:perennial shrub, usually deciduous in Santa FeBloom time:June to AugustHeight x width:5–6 feet x 6–8 feetSun:full sun, part shadeSoil:dry, gravelly, well-draining, and low in nutrientsWater:lowUSDA Zones:4–8Sources:Bone, Mike. Fernbush: fantastic!(Plant Select website)Phillips, Judith. Southwestern Landscaping with Native Plants(Museum of New Mexico, 1987)SNaPP, A Guide to Native Plants for the Santa Fe Landscape (2019 edition)USDA NRCS Native Plant Network, Propagation Protocol Database, Chamaebatiaria (millefolium)