Fernbush. Chamaebatiaria millefolium, Rose Family ( Rosaceae ), Fernbush. Also called: Desert Sweet, Spirea millefolium, Chamaebatiaria glutinosa, Sorbaria lillifolium, Basilima millifolium, Spirea glutinosa. We wish to thank Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia for some of the information on this page. We share images and information with Wikipedia. Fernbush (Chamaebatiaria millefolium), or Desert Sweet, is a densely branched, aromatic, dicot, shrub that grows from about 5' x 5' to 7' x 7' with a rounded form. Its flowers are white and roselike, in showy clusters at the ends of the branches, that attract butterflies and bees, from June through September. The genus, Chamaebatiaria is a monotypic genus, of aromatic shrub in the rose family containing only the single species, Chamaebatiaria millefolium, which is known by the common names fern bush and desert sweet. Its foliage is fragrant, fernlike, scaly and sticky. Its evergreen in warm climates, deciduous in cold climates, Fernbush has very attractive fall color. Its seeds are brownish, colorful, and provide winter interest. Its bark is shreddy and red. This shrub grows very well in xeric gardens. The white flowers attract numerous species of small bees and wasps so it may be best to plant it away from walkways, doorways, etc. The plant emits a very pleasant smell after a rain. It is a great xeriscape plant for higher elevations. Quick Notes: Height: About 5 feet by 5 feet in size, sometimes larger to 8 by 8 feet. Bark: The bark is a flaky, reddish Flowers: Flowers whitish in color and are 1/2 up to 1 inch wide. The five petals have yellow stamens. After flowering, large brown seed heads are formed. Flowering Time: June and August - September. Fruit: The Seeds are plumed and spiral. Leaves: Leaves are 3, finely twice pinnately compound, fern-like. Leaves are downy, fern-like and gray-green. Found: Native to the USA (AZ, CA, ID, NV, OR, UT)). Also found in Mexico in northern Sonora, Baja Norte, & Baja California. Hardiness: USDA Zone 3a: to -39.9 �C (-40 �F) USDA Zone 3b: to -37.2 �C (-35 �F) USDA Zone 4a: to -34.4 �C (-30 �F) USDA Zone 4b: to -31.6 �C (-25 �F) USDA Zone 5a: to -28.8 �C (-20 �F) USDA Zone 5b: to -26.1 �C (-15 �F) USDA Zone 6a: to -23.3 �C (-10 �F) USDA Zone 6b: to -20.5 �C (-5 �F) USDA Zone 7a: to -17.7 �C (0 �F) USDA Zone 7b: to -14.9 �C (5 �F) USDA Zone 8a: to -12.2 �C (10 �F) USDA Zone 8b: to -9.4 �C (15 �F) USDA Zone 9a: to -6.6 �C (20 �F) Soil pH requirements: 6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic) 6.6 to 7.5 (neutral) 7.6 to 7.8 (mildly alkaline) Sun Exposure: Full Sun Elevation: 3,400 - 10,200 Feet. Habitat: Dry and rocky slopes, mostly in pinyon - juniper woodland, desert mountains. Miscellaneous: It is a great xeriscape plant for higher elevations. Photos Taken September 01, 2009. Walnut Canyon National Monument Sinagua Ruins, Flagstaff, Arizona.

We Are Proud Of Our SafeSurf Rating!

Click On Any Of The Following Links By Amazon.Com
For Books, & Videos About Wildflowers Of Arizona & The Southwest USA. No Obligation!