title: Fothergilla gardenii
text: # Fothergilla gardenii
  
  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.
  
  