Fernbush
Chamaebatiaria millefolium
Fernbush (Chamaebatiaria millefolium) is a Colorado-native shrub suited to the Colorado Front Range. It matures to about 4 to 6 ft tall and 4 to 6 ft wide, needs low water, and prefers full sun. Fern-like aromatic foliage. Big mid-to-late summer panicles.
Colorado nativelow water4 to 6 ft tall and 4 to 6 ft wideXeric / water-wisePlant Select®Deer-resistant
Photos
- Photo 1: (c) Eric Knight, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Eric Knight
- Photo 2: (c) Indio Brown, some rights reserved (CC BY)
- Photo 3: (c) Jim Morefield, some rights reserved (CC BY)
At a glance
Will it survive here?
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 4 to 8
- Water needs
- low water
- Sun
- Best in full sun.
- Soil
- sandy, well drained only
- Soil pH
- 6.5 to 8.2
- Hail tolerance
- high
- Wind tolerance
- high
- Salt tolerance
- moderate
How big, what shape?
- Mature size
- 4 to 6 ft tall and 4 to 6 ft wide
- Planting spacing
- ~6 ft apart (4 ft for a hedge/screen)
- Growth rate
- Moderate
What it looks like, and when
- Bloom time
- mid summer, late summer
- Bloom color
- white
- Bloom length
- 2 to 3 weeks
- Foliage
- Semi-evergreen
Who else benefits
- Pollinator value
- high
- Deer
- Generally deer-resistant
- Colorado native
- Yes
- Native ecoregion
- foothills
Also worth knowing
- Fire rating
- Not rated
Planting & establishment
Drought-tolerant native; deep weekly water first summer, then minimal.
Frequently asked questions
- Is Fernbush good for the Colorado Front Range?
- Yes, Fernbush is a well-suited shrub for Colorado's Front Range.
- How big does Fernbush get?
- It matures to about 4 to 6 ft tall and 4 to 6 ft wide.
- How far apart do I plant Fernbush?
- Space Fernbush about 6 ft apart for a full, natural form, or about 4 ft apart for a faster hedge or screen.
- Is Fernbush hardy on the Front Range?
- Fernbush is hardy in USDA 4 to 8. The Colorado Front Range spans roughly USDA 4b to 6a, so it is well within range.
- How much water does Fernbush need?
- It needs low water once established.
- How fast does Fernbush grow?
- Fernbush is a moderate-growing shrub. Growth rate depends on water and site conditions on the Front Range.
- Is Fernbush native to Colorado?
- Yes. It is a Colorado native.
- Is Fernbush deer-resistant?
- Fernbush is generally considered deer-resistant, though no plant is deer-proof when browse pressure is high.
- Is Fernbush a Plant Select® winner?
- Yes. Fernbush is in Plant Select®, the plant-recommendation program run by Colorado State University and Denver Botanic Gardens to highlight plants that thrive in the region.
- How long does Fernbush bloom?
- Fernbush blooms for about two to three weeks on the Front Range. Bloom timing shifts a week or two with elevation and spring weather.
