Fothergilla gardenii

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]

Fothergilla gardenii
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Eudicots
Order:	Saxifragales
Family:	Hamamelidaceae
Genus:	Fothergilla
Species:	F. gardenii
Binomial name
Fothergilla gardenii L.

Fothergilla gardenii foliage

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[2] 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

1. Brickell, Christopher "The Royal Horticultural Society A-Z of Garden Plants (Volume 1: A-J)", 3rd ed. Copyright 1996, 2003, 2008 Dorling Kindersley Ltd., London. ISBN 9781405332965 pp. 452-453
2. Hogan, Sean, chief consultant. 2003, 2004. "Flora A Gardener's Encyclopedia", Global Nook Publishing Pty Ltd, Timber Press. ISBN 0881925381. pp. 608
3. Gledhill, David (2008). "The Names of Plants". Cambridge University Press. ISBN 9780521866453 (hardback), ISBN 9780521685535 (paperback). pp 169, 175

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