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Fothergilla gardenii Witch Alder
Fothergilla gardenii (Witch Alder). Photo © Mary Free
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Sassafras albidum (Sassafras)

Sassafras albidum bark in March.
Sassafras albidum flower buds in March.
Sassafras albidum flowers in April.
Sassafras albidum in June.
Sassafras albidum three leaf shapes: oval, mitten, three-lobed.
Sassafras albidum leaves in October.
Sassafras albidum leaves in October.

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Sassafras offers three-season interest: globelike clusters of chartreuse flowers in spring, leaves with three distinct shapes, dark blue fruit in red cups in summer, and foliage ranging from orange to crimson to purple in fall. This native is common in wood edges throughout the Mid-Atlantic Region except for the northern border of Pennsylvania. Tree Saplings, Flowers, Leaf Shapes, Fall Foliage Height: 35–50 feet Spread: 35–50 feet Bloom Color: Chartreuse yellow Characteristics Deciduous tree with an irregular, often twisted trunk and flat-topped crown; dioecious Mitten-shaped, oval, or 3-lobed green leaves Small, fragrant showy flowers in globe-like clusters along 2-inch stalks in April Shiny, dark blue egg-shaped drupes in a red cup attached to red, upright stalks on female trees Yellow, orange, crimson or purple fall color Can form thickets if suckers are not controlled Attributes Tolerates clay soil and drought; averse to transplantation due to large tap root No serious pests or diseases; deer seldom severely damage but may browse twigs & foliage Ethnobotanic uses; all parts spicy and aromatic Attracts birds, butterflies; larval host for Eastern Tiger and Spicebush Swallowtails and moths like Imperial, Io, Promethea and Tulip-Tree Beauty Growing and Maintenance Tips Soil Requirements: Rich, evenly moist Light Requirements: Sun, Partial Shade Water Requirements: Dry, Moist Use as specimen (remove root suckers to grow single trunk) or screen (allow plant to colonize) Hardiness: USDA Zones 4–9 Excellent Replacement for Ailanthus altissima - Tree of Heaven Broussonetia papyrifera - Paper Mulberry Morus alba - White Mulberry Sapium sebiferum - Chinese Tallow Tree developed by Master Gardeners of Northern Virginia, serving Arlington and Alexandria Images by Elaine Mills, U.S. National Arboretum and Nature Conservancy and by Mary Free (bottom left), private garden, CT

Tried and True Native Plant Selections
for the Mid-Atlantic 

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Sassafras albidum (Sassafras)

Sassafras offers three-season interest: globelike clusters of chartreuse flowers in spring, leaves with three distinct shapes, dark blue fruit in red cups in summer, and foliage ranging from orange to crimson to purple in fall. This native is common in wood edges throughout the Mid-Atlantic Region except for the northern border of Pennsylvania.

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