Fernbush
Chamaebatiaria millefolium
Fernbush (Chamaebatiaria millefolium) is a Colorado-native shrub suited to the Colorado Front Range. It matures to about 4–6 ft tall and 4–6 ft wide, needs low water, and prefers full sun. Fern-like aromatic foliage. Big mid-to-late summer panicles.
Colorado nativelow water4–6 ft tall and 4–6 ft wideXeric / water-wisePlant Select®Deer-resistant
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At a glance
- Botanical name
- Chamaebatiaria millefolium
- Type
- Shrub
- Mature size
- 4–6 ft tall and 4–6 ft wide
- Planting spacing
- ~6 ft apart (4 ft for a hedge/screen)
- Bloom length
- 2–3 weeks
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 4–8
- Growth rate
- Moderate
- Water needs
- low water
- Sun
- Best in full sun.
- Colorado native
- Yes
- Foliage
- Semi-evergreen
- Soil
- sandy, well drained only
- Soil pH
- 6.5–8.2
- Hail tolerance
- high
- Wind tolerance
- high
- Salt tolerance
- moderate
- Firewise (defensible space)
- Zones 2–3 (keep it back from the house)
- Plant Select®
- Yes, Colorado's Plant Select® program
- Bloom color
- white
- Bloom time
- mid summer, late summer
- Pollinator value
- high
Wildlife & ecology
- Pollinator value
- high
- Deer
- Generally deer-resistant
- Native ecoregion
- foothills
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 4–6 ft tall and 4–6 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 4–8. The Colorado Front Range spans roughly USDA 4b–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 good firewise plant near the house?
- Fernbush is suitable in defensible-space zones 2–3, best kept back from the house rather than in the area right against the structure. This is general suitability guidance based on CSU Extension firewise plant lists, not a guarantee that any plant won't burn, a well-irrigated, well-maintained plant is the goal. Follow CSU Extension defensible-space guidance and check with your local fire district before planting in the wildland-urban interface.
- 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.
