Master Gardeners of Northern Virginia

Promoting environmentally sound gardening practices for over 35 years!

Fothergilla gardenii Witch Alder
Fothergilla gardenii (Witch Alder). Photo © Mary Free
You are here: Home / Plants / Tried and True Native Plant Selections for the Mid-Atlantic / Shrubs / Fothergilla gardenii (Dwarf Fothergilla, Witch Alder)

Fothergilla gardenii (Dwarf Fothergilla, Witch Alder)

Fothergilla gardenii flower buds in April
10-32 showy stamens in a Fothergilla gardenii (dwarf fothergilla) apetalous flower
Fothergilla gardenii flowers in fuzzy white terminal clusters. Photo by Elaine L. Mills, 2015-04-20, Glencarlyn Library Community Garden
Fothergilla gardenii in landscape
Fothergilla gardenii in landscape. Photo by Elaine L. Mills, 2014-05-07, Swarthmore, Pennsylvania
Fothergilla gardenii spent flowers in May
Fothergilla gardenii leaves. Photo by Elaine L. Mills, 2014-10-06, National Arboretum.
Fothergilla gardenii fall foliage in brilliant shades of crimson and burgundy. Photo © Mary Free, 2014-11-09, Glencarlyn Library Community Garden.

Note: Click on images to see enlarged photos, captions, and photo attributions.
On a mobile phone, click on the information symbol (circle with a letter ℹ︎ symbol).

Native to southeastern coastal areas, Dwarf Fothergilla shines three seasons of the year. Spring brings sweetly-scented, white bottlebrush flowers that welcome pollinators. Its summer dress is a pretty green. Fall leaf color is spectacular, turning exquisite shades of yellow, orange or red that brighten up the woodland garden. Shrub Spring Shrub, Flowers, Fall Foliage Height: 3–5 feet Spread: 3–5 feet Bloom Color: White Characteristics Slow-growing, small, rounded deciduous shrub Variably stellate pubescent, gray-green foliage Scented, apetalous, white terminal spikes (proximal often staminate) with 10–32 stamens in early spring Fruit capsules with persistent style in May Fall colors (yellow, orange, crimson, burgundy) vary year to year depending on environmental factors May spread by root suckers Attributes Intolerant of drought, very dry sites, and prolonged flooding; no serious pests or diseases; deer may browse flowers and new growth Twiggy, zig-zag stems provide winter interest Attracts bees and wasps Growing and Maintenance Tips Soil Requirements: Rich, well-drained, acidic Light Requirements: Sun, Partial Shade Water Requirements: Moist, Wet Most prolific (flowers) & colorful (foliage) in sun Let it attain its natural, even, symmetrical shape as pruning can reduce flowering Use as a hedge, foundation plant, an under- planting for shade and flowering trees, en masse Hardiness: USDA Zones 5–8 Excellent Replacement for Berberis thunbergii - Japanese Barberry Euonymus alatus - Burning Bush Salix discolor - Pussywillow Spiraea japonica - Japanese Spirea developed by Master Gardeners of Northern Virginia, serving Arlington and Alexandria Images by Elaine Mills (fruit) and Mary Free, Glencarlyn Garden and Quarry Shade Garden (flowers)

Tried and True Native Plant Selections 
for the Mid-Atlantic

Print Version (Legal Size):
Fothergilla gardenii (Dwarf Fothergilla, Witch Alder)

Native to southeastern coastal areas, Dwarf Fothergilla shines three seasons of the year. Spring brings sweetly-scented, white bottlebrush flowers that welcome pollinators. Its summer dress is a pretty green. Fall leaf color is spectacular, turning exquisite shades of yellow, orange or red that brighten up the woodland garden.

Learn more about other Mid-Atlantic plants: 
Tried and True Native Plant Fact Sheets