Desert Sweet, Fernbush

Here in Santa Rosa in No. Ca. I doubt anyone is succeeding with this bush..
I have come to believe it hates high rainfall areas an...Read Mored soils that hold too much noisture. I planted mine in a crack between volcanic tuff layers
In pure mineral soil. Extremely slow growing for me even with


a little summer water, but that is the way it should be. In the modoc lava beds I saw it growing between the lava cracks. Mine may take some years before it blooms, but at least it is surviving . Leaves curl up in winter, then expand & green up in summer. You may not want to cut off the ornamental dried flower/ seed head if & when the bush produces them . Good luck !

These shrubs survived an extended drought in our area, when we ran out of well water. They were not watered at all, for three years ('no...Read Morermal' rainfall is 15"/year here). They are survivors!

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 plan...Read Moret it away from walkways, doorways, etc. if you (or your guests) are afraid of these insects. This is one of the earliest shrubs to begin leafing out in the spring in the southwest U.S. Intermountain zone. The plant emits a very pleasant smell after a rain.