Alphabetical Plant Listing

Fothergilla gardenii (Dwarf Fothergilla)

Dwarf Fothergilla, Coastal Fothergilla, Dwarf Alder, Witch Alder,


Slow-growing, Fothergilla gardenii (Dwarf Fothergilla) is a magnificent deciduous shrub that adds long-lasting beauty to the landscape during 3 seasons. In spring, this compact, mounded shrub gets beautifully covered with honey-scented, upright, creamy-white bottlebrush-like flowers, 1-2 in. long (2-5 cm), before the leaves emerge. In summer, the foliage of oval leaves is an attractive dark blue-green, creating a striking contrast with the other plants. In fall, the foliage usually turns a glowing yellow, orange, and red, with all colors present in the same leaf. Use in shrub borders, perennial borders, or foundation plantings.

  • This dense, bushy shrub spreads slowly by suckers and typically grows up to 2-3 ft. tall and wide (60-90 cm).
  • This plant is easily grown in full sun to part shade in average, medium, well-drained soils. Prefers moist, rich, acidic soils. To get the best floral and foliage display, give your Fothergilla as much sunshine as possible.
  • Low maintenance, this plant is generally pest and disease free.
  • Plant as a specimen or in mixed shrub borders. Great flowering shrub with rhododendrons or azaleas. Perfect for low hedges, foundation plantings, rain gardens, or native plantings.
  • Propagate by softwood cuttings in summer under mist or air layering in summer
  • Native to the southeastern United States.

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Requirements

Hardiness 5 – 8
Heat Zones 1 – 9
Climate Zones 2, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 17
Plant Type Shrubs
Plant Family Fothergilla
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Mid,Late)
Summer (Early,Mid,Late)
Fall
Height 2' – 3' (60cm – 90cm)
Spread 2' – 3' (60cm – 90cm)
Spacing 36" (90cm)
Water Needs Average
Maintenance Low
Soil Type Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained
Characteristics Fragrant, Showy
Native Plants United States, Southeast, Alabama, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina
Garden Uses Rain Gardens, Small Gardens
Garden Styles Informal and Cottage, Traditional Garden

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Todd Boland, EqRoy, Shutterstock

While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.


Requirements

Hardiness 5 – 8
Heat Zones 1 – 9
Climate Zones 2, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 17
Plant Type Shrubs
Plant Family Fothergilla
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Mid,Late)
Summer (Early,Mid,Late)
Fall
Height 2' – 3' (60cm – 90cm)
Spread 2' – 3' (60cm – 90cm)
Spacing 36" (90cm)
Water Needs Average
Maintenance Low
Soil Type Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained
Characteristics Fragrant, Showy
Native Plants United States, Southeast, Alabama, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina
Garden Uses Rain Gardens, Small Gardens
Garden Styles Informal and Cottage, Traditional Garden

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