Scientific Name: Fothergilla major
Common Name: fothergilla, witch alder
Family Name: Hamamelidaceae
Origin: U.S. - southeast
Hardiness Zone: Zone 5: (-29 to -23 °C)
Plant Type: Shrub - deciduous
Mature Size: 2 - 3m x 2 - 3m (height x width)
Habit: Upright
Form: Oval - vertical
Texture: Medium
Landscape Uses: Mixed shrub border, Small garden/space, Spring interest, Woodland margin
Exposure: Full sun only if soil kept moist, Part sun/part shade
Soil or Media: Well-drained
Leaves: Simple, Alternate, Lustrous, Pubescent, Obovate, Dentate
Flowers: Spike, White, May-Jun
Fruit: Capsule, Aug
Key ID Features:
Leaves alternate, most blades ovate-elliptical, 6-9cm long x 5-7cm wide, with rippled margin and shallow teeth towards apex, may have slightly pubescent undersides; raceme of white to pink-tinged bottlebrush-like flowers in May; axillary buds protected by off-white stipule. Winter ID: buds stalked, fuzzy, flower buds larger and more rounded.