Chamaebatiaria

( kam - mee - BAT - ee - ah - ruh )

At-A-Glance Information

Also known as Fernbush, Tansybush or Desert Sweet, this is a species of evergreen to deciduous shrubs that needs full sun and little to moderate waterings. They attract bees and butterflies, so they're perfect biodiversity specimens to add to your garden. These shrubs are well-branched and grow to be between 5-8 feet tall and wide and have aromatic foliage. Midsummer flowers are white and fragrant. Chamaebatiaria millefolium is the sole species in the genus, which is a member of the plant family Rosaceae. Fernbush grows well in USDA hardiness zones 4-10 or Sunset growing zones 1-3, 7, and 14-21 (to find your zone, click here: Zone Map) and are native to scrublands, woodlands, and forests in western North America.

Caring for Chamaebatiaria

Plant Fernbush in a space in the landscape that receives full sun; ideally, they appreciate between 6 and 8 hours of sun each day for the best blooms and overall growth rate. Ensure that soil is well-draining, rich in nutrients, and has a pH of between 5.0 and 8.0 (acidic to alkaline). If local soils are particularly poor in nutrients or do not drain well, make sure to amend the planting area with plenty of organic compost before installing. Apply a layer of mulch around the planting area to suppress weed growth, maintain consistent soil temperatures, and to increase soil moisture retention. Water new plantings regularly as these shrubs establish a strong root system in their new home. At maturity, these plants perform well with regular waterings, though they are considered drought-tolerant, able to get by on rainwater for much of the year with supplemental waterings during extended periods of dry weather. Avoid overwatering.

Fertilize yearly in early springtime with an application of 2 inches of compost around the base of plants. Pull mulch back before applying, work the compost gently into the soil a bit, water it in, and then replace mulch. Pruning is simple; remove any damaged, diseased, or dead foliage in late winter or early springtime. Regularly deadhead spent flower inflorescences to encourage more to bloom. Plants can be sheared back lightly to encourage a tidier appearance and promote denser foliage. To perform a rejuvenation pruning if plants are getting sparse or leggy, cut the plant back hard in late winter or early spring, bringing it down to 1/2 or more of its total height (but not less than 6-12 inches from the ground). This process can be done once every few years. Chamaebataria, or Fernbush, is considered a long-lived perennial shrub, and can survive in the landscape for decades before needing to be replaced.

Propagation

Fernbush can be propagated either by using cuttings or from seed. To ensure that your propagated plant will have the exact same qualities and characteristics as the parent plant, use the cutting method. If you would like to experiment and see what plant you can grow from seed, just keep in mind that it will not necessarily be the same as the parent plant. To propagate your plant, follow the instructions below:

Propagating Chamaebatiaria by Cutting

Gather your materials. You'll need a clean, sanitized, sharp pair of garden shears, rooting hormone, a pencil, and a 3-inch pot filled with well-draining compost or other organic material. A good substrate for propagation of cuttings is a light blend of 1/3 pasteurized soil or compost, 1/3 sand, vermiculite or perlite, and 1/3 coconut coir or peat moss.
In spring or early summertime, choose the plant that you'd like to propagate. Ensure that this plant has had a good watering the night before, as this will improve the chances your cutting will take root. Cut one or more 6 inch portion(s) of the end of a non-blooming branch and strip the leaves off of the lower half. Make a hole in your planting medium by pushing your pencil into the soil. Dip the end of the stem in rooting hormone, and plant it in your pot. Fill in soil around the cutting to support it, but do not pack it down too much.
Moisten with water, and ensure that the pot has good drainage. Your pot should be kept in warm, sunny conditions indoors (and not in direct sunlight). Water whenever your soil is dry under the top layer. After about four to six weeks have passed, your cutting should be rooted. When you notice new growth on your propagated shrub, you'll know you have roots.
Keep your new plant in an area with bright light (though not direct sunlight) and temperatures between 55 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Ensure that the soil stays moist, but not wet, until the next spring, when you can transplant it to its new home. Ensure that the last frost of the year has occurred before doing this, as it can seriously damage your new shrub.

Propagating Chamaebatiaria by Seed

Keep in mind that the plant you get from seed will not necessarily mimic all of the characteristics of its parent. To propagate by seed, you will need an envelope, a sealable jar, a pot or tray filled with well-draining compost or other organic material, a spray bottle and a fork. The best potting medium for seed germination is a light blend of 1/3 pasteurized soil or compost, 1/3 sand, vermiculite or perlite, and 1/3 coconut coir or peat moss.
Harvest your seeds, and then cold stratify them. We can mimic their natural process by storing them in a cold refrigerator for between 14 and 28 days. After this process, they can be sown in soil.
Water your prepared seed tray or pot filled with soil, and ensure that good drainage is occurring. Place your seeds in your prepared pot or seed tray about a quarter inch down. Cover them with soil and water with your spray bottle. Place your tray of seeds in a warm area that receives bright, indirect light. A greenhouse is the most ideal climate, but a planting tray inside a window will do as well.
Keep the seedling's potting medium moist, but not wet, by spraying the soil with your spray bottle. Keep your new plant in an area with bright light (though not direct sunlight) and temperatures between 55 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Ensure that the soil stays moist, but not wet, until the next spring (after the danger of frost has passed), when you can transplant it to its new home.