About
Comptonia peregrina is a low-growing, deciduous shrub that typically reaches a height of about 1.5 meters. Its slender branches are covered in soft hairs during their early growth stages. The leaves are aromatic, olive-green, and can grow up to 10 centimeters in length, featuring a fern-like structure with rounded leaflets. In the spring, this plant produces small, brown male catkins that can measure up to 2.5 centimeters, which emerge either before or simultaneously with the unfolding of the leaves.
Growing conditions
- Sunlight
- Full sun, Partial shade
- Soil type
- Clay, Loam, Sand
- Soil pH
- Acid, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Moist but well-drained
- Aspect
- East-facing, South-facing, West-facing
- Exposure
- Exposed, Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H5
Plant details
- Plant type
- Shrubs
- Habit
- Bushy
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Height
- 1.5-2.5 metres
- Spread
- 1.5-2.5 metres
- Time to full height
- 5-10 years
- Suggested uses
- Coastal, Cottage and informal garden
- Native to
- E US
- Fragrance
- Foliage
Care notes
- Cultivation
- Grow in acidic or neutral, moist but well-drained soil in full sun or partial shade. Be aware of its ability to spread rapidly and form large colonies once established and site accordingly
- Pruning
- Pruning group 1
- Propagation
- Propagate by root cuttings, layering or from suckers
- Pest resistance
- Generally pest-free
- Disease resistance
- Generally disease-free