What hardiness zones is Fothergilla-gardenii suitable for?

Fothergilla-gardenii is suitable for USDA hardiness zones 5, 6, 7, 8, 9.

What are the sun requirements for Fothergilla-gardenii?

Fothergilla-gardenii requires Part Shade.

How much water does Fothergilla-gardenii need?

Fothergilla-gardenii has Medium water needs.

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Deciduous Shrubs

Fothergilla gardenii

dwarf fothergilla

HamamelidaceaeNorth America

At a Glance

TypeShrub

HabitMounding

FoliageDeciduous

Height2–3 feet (60–90 cm)

Width2–3 feet (60–90 cm)

Maturity8 years

Growing Zones

USDA Hardiness Zones

5 - 9

Zone 5

Zone 6

Zone 7

Zone 8

Zone 9

These zones indicate the coldest temperatures this plant can typically survive.

Frost Tolerancehardy

Key Features

Attracts Pollinators

Attracts Butterflies

Deer Resistant

Fragrant (strong)

Native to North America

Maintenancelow

Overview

Fothergilla gardenii, commonly called dwarf fothergilla or witch-alder, is a compact, slow-growing deciduous shrub in the family Hamamelidaceae, native to the coastal plain of the southeastern United States from North Carolina to northern Florida and west to the Gulf Coast, growing in moist, acidic, sandy soils in pine savannas, pocosins, and wetland margins. It is one of two species in the genus and among the finest multi-season shrubs for Pacific Northwest gardens with acidic soil. In spring, before the leaves emerge, erect bottlebrush-like flower spikes 1–2 inches (2.5–5 cm) tall appear on bare branches — composed entirely of white stamens with no petals — and carry a strong, honey-sweet fragrance. The rounded, dark blue-green leaves with wavy, irregularly toothed margins emerge after flowering and provide a handsome, bold-textured canopy through summer. In autumn, the foliage produces some of the most varied and intense fall color of any small shrub: individual plants display yellow, orange, scarlet, and deep purple simultaneously, often all on the same branch. Plants typically grow 2–3 feet (60–90 cm) tall and wide, though selections such as 'Blue Mist' and 'Mount Airy' offer variations. A Great Plant Pick and an exceptional choice for the woodland garden, mixed border, and foundation planting in Pacific Northwest conditions.

Native Range

Native to the Atlantic and Gulf Coastal Plain of the southeastern United States — North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Alabama, and Mississippi — growing in moist, acidic, sandy to peaty soils in pine savannas, bog margins, pond edges, and pocosins at low elevations. Not native to North America's Pacific Northwest.

Suggested Uses

Dwarf fothergilla is one of the finest small shrubs for the Pacific Northwest woodland and shade garden, offering three seasons of ornamental interest: fragrant spring flowers, handsome blue-green summer foliage, and spectacular multi-colored autumn display. A Great Plant Pick for Pacific Northwest gardens. Excellent in mixed shrub borders, woodland garden edges, foundation plantings, and naturalized areas with acidic soil. Outstanding combined with Kalmia, Rhododendron, Pieris, and Vaccinium in an acid-soil border. The fall color is most effective when backlit by low autumn sun. 'Blue Mist' and 'Mount Airy' are widely available cultivars.

How to Identify

Dwarf fothergilla is identified in spring by its erect, bottlebrush-like flower spikes 1–2 inches (2.5–5 cm) tall composed entirely of white stamens (no petals) with a strong honey fragrance, appearing on bare branches before the leaves. Summer foliage is distinctive: rounded to broadly obovate, dark blue-green leaves 1–3 inches (2.5–7.5 cm) long with wavy, irregularly toothed margins and a somewhat glaucous underside. Autumn color is exceptional and variable — yellow, orange, red, and purple simultaneously on the same plant. The combination of fragrant, petal-less white bottlebrush flowers, blue-green wavy-margined leaves, and spectacular mixed fall color is immediately diagnostic.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height2' - 3'

Width/Spread2' - 3'

Reaches mature size in approximately 8 years

Colors

Flower Colors

white

Foliage Colors

blue

green

Fall Foliage Colors

yellow

orange

red

purple

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~3 weeks

Spring

Dwarf fothergilla blooms in early to mid-spring, typically March through April in Pacific Northwest gardens, before the leaves emerge. The erect, bottlebrush-like flower spikes 1–2 inches (2.5–5 cm) tall are composed of densely packed white stamens and carry a pronounced honey fragrance over two to three weeks. The flowers are particularly effective against a dark background or underplanted with early bulbs. Blooming slightly later than witch hazel, fothergilla bridges the gap between early-spring shrubs and the main spring flowering season.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

White; bottlebrush spikes 1–2 inches (2.5–5 cm) of densely packed stamens, no petals; strongly honey-fragrant

Foliage Description

Rounded to broadly obovate, 1–3 inches (2.5–7.5 cm), dark blue-green with wavy, irregularly toothed margins; glaucous underside

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

Full Sun

Partial Shade

Requires 3-6 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range4.5 - 6.0(Acidic)

357912

Soil Types

loampeatsand

Drainage

well drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Medium

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

5–10 years

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Plant in partial shade to full sun in moist, acidic, well-drained, humus-rich soil with a pH of 4.5–6.0. Pacific Northwest gardens with naturally acidic soils are well-suited to fothergilla — incorporate generous leaf mold and composted bark at planting. Consistent moisture through the growing season produces the best foliage and fall color; tolerates brief dry periods once established. Mulch with acidic organic material (composted bark, pine needles) to maintain moisture and soil pH. Minimal fertilization needed; avoid alkaline fertilizers. Plants are largely pest- and disease-free in Pacific Northwest conditions. Slow-growing; allow five to ten years to reach mature size.

Pruning

Minimal pruning needed. Remove dead or damaged stems in early spring before flowering. Lightly thin crowded interior stems after flowering if needed for air circulation. Avoid heavy pruning — fothergilla blooms on old wood and develops its best form naturally. Do not prune in late summer or autumn as this removes the following year's flower buds.

Pruning Schedule

late spring

Maintenance Level

low

⚠️ Toxicity Warning

Non-toxic