Also known as Sweetfern · 40 gardener saves
Comptonia: the varieties gardeners actually grow
Comptonia, the genus most gardeners know as sweetfern. We track 1 varieties; these are the ones gardeners actually save and plant, ranked by real saves rather than catalog marketing. Each links to full care, bloom, and live price data.
The 1 most-saved Comptonia varieties
Of 1 in the catalog — ordered by how many gardeners actually grow them.
Comptonia questions
How many types of Comptonia are there?
The Sow catalog tracks 1 distinct Comptonia varieties. The most popular — ranked by 40 real gardener saves — are shown first above.
What zones does Comptonia grow in?
Across its varieties, Comptonia covers USDA Zones 4–6. Individual varieties differ — each plant page lists its exact range, and Sow filters the catalog to your zone automatically.
When does Comptonia bloom?
Most Comptonia varieties bloom in mid-spring. Staggering early, mid, and late varieties extends the genus's season in one bed.
Which Comptonia should I choose?
Start from the most-saved varieties above — popularity across thousands of gardens is a strong signal of reliability — then filter by your zone and sun. In the Sow app you can preview any of them in a photo of your actual yard before you buy.
Keep exploring
Comptonia shows up in
By hardiness zone
Design with Comptonia in your own yard
Snap a photo of your space and see these varieties planted in it — sized correctly, matched to your zone, with care reminders included.
