Fothergilla - Witch Alder

Scientific Description: Fothergilla or Witch Alder – (Fothergilla major and other species and cultivars) – both the dwarf and the standard species add amazing autumnal color to any garden.  These species (F. gardenia and F. major) are native to the Southeast U.S. and are in the witch-hazel family (Hamamelidaceae). They are perennial, deciduous, multi- stemmed shrubs that prefer hardiness Zones 5 – 8, and grow to a height of 3 to 5 feet tall and 3 to 4 feet wide.

Image above from Hannah Lieffring

The flowers of Fothergilla, which bloom in April and May, are showy, fragrant and resemble bottle-brushes. After flowering, it’s fruit capsules that hold two seeds each, begin to ripen. In autumn, once the capsules dry, they explosively rupture - dispersing  seeds to the surrounding area.

Fothergilla grows best in full sun to partial shade, organically rich, well-drained soil, and requires a medium amount of water.  Other than occasional pruning to maintain a desired form, they require minimal maintenance. This shrubs’ autumn foliage produces some of the best fall colors – scarlet red, yellow, orange.

Fothergilla is relatively pest/disease free, however the stress of growing in full sun without adequate water may increase its susceptibility to leaf spot, a fungal pathogen that can cause leaves to drop. If this happens, all dropped leaves and stems should be raked and either burned or disposed of in a manner that won’t promote re-infection or spread to other plants.

Habitat Value: Both bees and butterflies use Fothergilla’s fragrant flowers for nectar and the leaves provide shelter for birds. Some species of caterpillar eat the leaves and small mammals and birds consume the fruit and seeds. 

Landscape Uses (Edited by Matt Whitaker of WMWA Landscape Architects): Fothergilla is a genus of only a few (two according to BONAP, maybe three according to iNaturalist) native North American species with only Fothergilla major native to our area. The genus name is more commonly used as the common name than witch alder. It appears rarely in a small range from a handful of counties in North Alabama, eastern Tennessee, North Georgia, the western Carolinas, and a few relict populations in Arkansas and central Alabama. Despite this small range, it and its cultivars have  become one of the most popular native shrubs in North America. The popularity comes from its exceptional beauty and relative ease of growing it. The species grows 6 to 8 feet high and wide and has unusual aromatic, white bottle-brush-like flowers in the spring. More significant is its bright, fiery orange-red fall color. It does best in acid soil with afternoon shade and consistent soil moisture. It will tolerate full sun with enough water or full shade but has the best blooms and fall color with at least a half day of sun. Fothergilla is in the witch-hazel family and F. major is very similar to the other widely recognized coastal plain species F. gardenii. Most of the cultivars available are crosses between the two. Fothergilla, both species and the cultivars all make excellent garden shrubs used in masses, foundation planting or,  informal hedges. 

Both John Manion, Arboretum Curator, and Charlie Belin, Volunteer, contributed to this piece.

Great fall color photo courtesy Matt Whitaker.