Fothergilla Species, American Wych Hazel, Dwarf Fothergilla, Dwarf Witch Alder

Fall color can be spectacular.

The spring flowers are often described as powerfully honey-scented, and I've sometimes foun...Read Mored them to be so. But the fragrance seems to vary a lot from one plant to the next, and I sometimes detect the scent of raspberries/violets.

The true F. gardenii typically grows 2-3' tall and suckers to at least as wide. Most of the cultivars identified in the trade as F. gardenii are actually hybrids with the much larger F. major.

This is not a highly adaptable plant, and is less adaptable than F. major. Acid soil, consistent moisture, and good drainage are essential for vigorous growth and longevity. Flowering and fall color are best in full sun here in Massachusetts, but probably best with some protection from afternoon sun in hot summer climates.

The common name "witch-alder" is only encountered in the literature. I've never heard anyone actually call it anything but dwarf fothergilla.

There's a great article on Fothergillas in The Plantsman:
http://www.rickdarke.com/Fothergilla.pdf

Fothergilla gardenii blooms here in upstate NY in mid-May and the flowers have a wonderful fragrance of honey. The fall foliage colors (...Read Moreorange, yellow, red all at once) are outstanding. Its foliage is never bothered by bugs or disease, but it requires protection from deer in the winter else the branch tips will definitely be browsed.
Fothergilla is hardy in my zone 4 garden in a protected spot just east of the house. My two shrubs are thriving in morning and mid-day sun with shade after about 2:30 pm. One of the two is in more shade from a viburnum and is a little leggier and has less fall color, but still blooms reliably.

Fothergillas are native to the eastern United States and are one of the most beautiful shrubs in my zone 5 Oregon garden. The flowers ar...Read Moree white in May to June and the leaves are green and very attractive. The best part is the spectacular fall color, of reds, orange, yellow and purple.

The genus honors the English physician John Fothergill, who aside from his affinity for plants contributed much to the body of medical kn...Read Moreowledge in the 18th century. The species gardenii is named for Dr. Alexander Garden, a Scots physician and botanist who lived in South Carolina and was instrumental in introducing a great many new-world plants to Europe.