Dwarf Witchalder

Fothergilla gardenii foliage

Fothergilla gardenii, also known by the common names witch alder,^[1] dwarf fothergilla,^[2] American wych hazel,^[3] and dwarf witchalder is a deciduous shrub in the Hamamelidaceae family. It is one of two species in the genus Fothergilla.^[1][2]

Description

• Type: Slow-growing^[2] deciduous shrub.^[1][2]
• Height/spread: Max height and spread is 0.9 m (3 ft)^[2] to 1 m (3 ft).^[1]
• Leaves: Dark green, alternate leaves emerge in spring^[1] and range in shape from oval^[1][2] to obovate.^[1] Sizes up to 6 cm (2.5 in) in length,^[1] with irregularly^[2] toothed margins.^[1][2] Striking autumn colors, including bright red,^[1] crimson,^[2] orange, and yellow.^[1][2]
• Inflorescences: Terminal cylindrical^[1] spikes^[1][2] to 4 cm (1.5 in) are borne in spring,^[1] before the leaves emerge.^[1][2]
  • Flowers: Small,^[1] white, petal-less, highly fragrant. Conspicuous filaments^[1][2] are 2.5 cm (1 in) long.^[1]

Distribution

Native to the southeastern USA,^[1][2] from North Carolina to Alabama.^[2]

Cultivation

• Hardiness: Fully hardy,^[1] to -29 °C (-20 °F).^[2] USDA zones 5-9.^[2]
• Cultivation: Prefers full sun^[1][2] or partial shade^[1] and humus-rich, well-drained soil which is kept moist.^[1][2] Full sun gives the best autumn color.^[2] Does well in woodland gardens or shrub borders.^[1]
• Propagation:
  • Seed Sow seed outdoors in a cold frame or seedbed in autumn or winter. Seed typically germinates the second spring after sowing.^[1] Fresh seed works best.^[2]
  • Cuttings Take softwood cuttings in summer^[1][2] and root them in a mist unit.^[1]
  • Layering:
    • Air Layering Air layer in summer.^[1]
    • Simple Layering Can be propagated by layering.^[2]
• Pests and Diseases: Trouble free.^[1]

Cultivars

The cultivar 'Blue Mist' is grown for its glaucous blue-green foliage.^[1][2]

Etymology

Fothergilla is named for Dr. John Fothergill (1712-1780) of Stratford, Essex, a physician and introducer of American plants.^[3]

Gardenii is named for Dr. Alexander Garden (1730-1791), an Anglo-American botanist and correspondent with Carl Linnaeus.^[3]

References

• Thomas G. Ranney and Nathan P. Lynch, Clarifying Taxonomy and Nomenclature of Fothergilla (Hamamelidaceae) Cultivars and Hybrids, HORTSCIENCE 42(3):470–473. 2007.