Fothergilla gardenii
Introduction Fothergilla gardenii foliage'''''Fothergilla gardenii''''', also known by the common names '''witch alder''', '''dwarf fothergilla''', '''American wych hazel''', and '''dwarf witchalder''' is a deciduous shrub in the Hamamelidaceae family. It is one of two species in the genus ''Fothergilla.''
Description *'''Type:''' Slow-growing deciduous shrub. *'''Height/spread:''' Max height and spread is 0.9 m (3 ft) to 1 m (3 ft). *'''Leaves:''' Dark green, alternate leaves emerge in spring and range in shape from oval to obovate. Sizes up to 6 cm (2.5 in) in length, with irregularly toothed margins. Striking autumn colors, including bright red, crimson, orange, and yellow. *'''Inflorescences:''' Terminal cylindrical spikes to 4 cm (1.5 in) are borne in spring, before the leaves emerge. **'''Flowers:''' Small, white, petal-less, highly fragrant. Conspicuous filaments are 2.5 cm (1 in) long.
Distribution Native to the southeastern USA, from North Carolina to Alabama.
Cultivation *'''Hardiness:''' Fully hardy, to -29 °C (-20 °F). USDA zones 5-9. *'''Cultivation:''' Prefers full sun or partial shade and humus-rich, well-drained soil which is kept moist. Full sun gives the best autumn color. Does well in woodland gardens or shrub borders. *'''Propagation:'''**'''Seed''' Sow seed outdoors in a cold frame or seedbed in autumn or winter. Seed typically germinates the second spring after sowing. Fresh seed works best. **'''Cuttings''' Take softwood cuttings in summer and root them in a mist unit. **'''Layering:'''***'''Air Layering''' Air layer in summer. ***'''Simple Layering''' Can be propagated by layering. *'''Pests and Diseases:''' Trouble free.
Cultivars The cultivar 'Blue Mist' is grown for its glaucous blue-green foliage.
Etymology ''Fothergilla'' is named for Dr. John Fothergill (1712-1780) of Stratford, Essex, a physician and introducer of American plants. ''Gardenii'' is named for Dr. Alexander Garden (1730-1791), an Anglo-American botanist and correspondent with Carl Linnaeus.
References *Thomas G. Ranney and Nathan P. Lynch, ''Clarifying Taxonomy and Nomenclature of Fothergilla (Hamamelidaceae) Cultivars and Hybrids'', HORTSCIENCE 42(3):470–473.2007.