Fothergilla gardenii

Fothergilla gardenii, also known by the common names witch alder, dwarf fothergilla, American wych hazel, pocosin witchalder, and dwarf witchalder is a deciduous shrub in the Hamamelidaceae family. It is one of two species in the genus ''Fothergilla.''

Description

Type: Slow-growing deciduous shrub.
Height/spread: Max height and spread is 0.9 m to 1 m.
Leaves: Dark green, alternate leaves emerge in spring and range in shape from oval to obovate. Sizes up to 6 cm in length, with irregularly toothed margins. Striking autumn colors, including bright red, crimson, orange, and yellow.
Inflorescences: Terminal cylindrical spikes to 4 cm are borne in spring, before the leaves emerge.
*Flowers: Small, white, petal-less, highly fragrant. Conspicuous filaments are 2.5 cm long.

Distribution

Native to the southeastern USA, from North Carolina to Alabama.

Cultivation

Hardiness: Fully hardy, to -29 °C. USDA zones 5-9.
Cultivation: Prefers full sun or partial shade and humus-rich, well-drained soil which is kept moist. Full sun gives the best autumn color. Does well in woodland gardens or shrub borders.
Propagation:
*Seed Sow seed outdoors in a cold frame or seedbed in autumn or winter. Seed typically germinates the second spring after sowing. Fresh seed works best.
*Cuttings Take softwood cuttings in summer and root them in a mist unit.
*Layering:
**Air Layering Air layering in summer.
**Simple Layering Can be propagated by layering.
Pests and Diseases: Trouble free.

Cultivars

The cultivar 'Blue Mist' is grown for its glaucous blue-green foliage.

Etymology

Fothergilla is named for Dr. John Fothergill of Stratford, Essex, a physician and introducer of American plants.
Gardenii is named for Dr. Alexander Garden, an Anglo-American botanist and correspondent with Carl Linnaeus.