Fothergilla major (Mountain Witch Alder)

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