Fernbush

Fernbush (Chamaebatiaria millefolium, Rosaceae) is a native broadleaf shrub from the interior western United States, reaching 3 to 7 feet tall. Fern-like compound pinnate leaves are sticky and aromatic. White, showy five-petaled flowers (about 1 centimeter wide) appear in terminal clusters up to 10 centimeters long during mid to late summer, followed by brown capsular fruit.

Fernbush grows in full sun on well-drained, alkaline soils (pH 7.0 to 8.0) with low water needs and high drought tolerance, hardy in Zones 4a to 8b. It has high calcium carbonate tolerance. No pest or disease issues are documented, and no cultivars are in the trade.