Alphabetical Plant Listing

Fothergilla major (Mountain Witch Alder)

Mountain Witch Alder, Large Fothergilla, Tall Fothergilla


Native to the southeastern U.S., Fothergilla major (Mountain Witch Alder) is a slow-growing, deciduous shrub that is admired for its delightfully fragrant, bottlebrush-like, white flowers in spring, its leathery blue-green summer foliage, its spectacular fall color (leaves turn fabulous shades of yellow, orange and red-purple) and excellent disease resistance.

  • With an upright spreading habit, this deciduous shrub spreads slowly by suckers and typically grows 6-10 ft. tall (180-300 cm) with a spread of 5-9 ft. (150-270 cm).
  • A full sun to part shade lover, this plant is best grown 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. Good shade tolerance.
  • Recipient of the prestigious Award of Garden Merit of the Royal Horticultural Society and winner of the Cary Award, which recognizes plants that are particularly adequate for New England, offer superior landscape appeal, are winter hardy and pest resistant.
  • Flowers attract butterflies and birds
  • Plant as a specimen or in mixed shrub borders for dramatic summer blooms. Great flowering shrub with rhododendrons or azaleas. Perfect for hedges, foundation plantings or native plantings.
  • May spread by root suckers to form colonies if suckers are not promptly removed
  • Propagate by seed or softwood cuttings

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Requirements

Hardiness 5 – 8
Heat Zones 5 – 8
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 6' – 10' (180cm – 3m)
Spread 5' – 9' (150cm – 270cm)
Spacing 60" – 108" (150cm – 270cm)
Water Needs Average
Maintenance Low
Soil Type Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained
Characteristics Fragrant, Plant of Merit, Showy
Native Plants United States, Southeast, Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee
Attracts Birds, Butterflies
Garden Uses Hedges and Screens
Garden Styles Informal and Cottage, Traditional Garden

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Martin Fowler, JfbPhoto, 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 5 – 8
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 6' – 10' (180cm – 3m)
Spread 5' – 9' (150cm – 270cm)
Spacing 60" – 108" (150cm – 270cm)
Water Needs Average
Maintenance Low
Soil Type Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained
Characteristics Fragrant, Plant of Merit, Showy
Native Plants United States, Southeast, Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee
Attracts Birds, Butterflies
Garden Uses Hedges and Screens
Garden Styles Informal and Cottage, Traditional Garden

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