Fothergilla gardenii

Fothergilla gardenii, also known by the common names witch alder, dwarf fothergilla, American wych hazel, 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 (3 ft) to 1 m (3 ft).
 * Leaves: Dark green, alternate leaves emerge in spring and range in shape from oval to obovate. Sizes up to 6 cm (2.5 in) in length, with irregularly toothed margins.  Striking autumn colors, including bright red, crimson, orange, and yellow.
 * Inflorescences: Terminal cylindrical spikes to 4 cm (1.5 in) are borne in spring, before the leaves emerge.
 * Flowers: Small, white, petal-less, highly fragrant. Conspicuous filaments are 2.5 cm (1 in) long.

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

Cultivation

 * Hardiness: Fully hardy, to -29 °C (-20 °F). 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 layer 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 (1712-1780) of Stratford, Essex, a physician and introducer of American plants.

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