Fothergilla, commonly known as witch alder, is a native shrub in woodlands of the eastern United States. It is a genus of the shrub family Hamamelidaceae. Within this family are two subspecies, Fothergilla Major and Fothergilla gardenii (Mt Airy). The two species are very similar, except for flower size, leaf base symmetry, and mature overall plant size and habit.

Fothergilla make excellent specimen plants within an English Cottage Garden setting as well as accent plants in a foundation planting. The lower growing types work very well under windows, as part of a mixed perennial or shrub garden bed and in borders. They make great hedges and when planted in woodland gardens they can cope well with tree roots. Being a fragrant flowering plant, place them where their fragrance can be appreciated. They combine well with ornamental grasses, dwarf evergreens, viburnums, dogwoods and rhododendron. They are also a great alternative to utilize in lieu of burning bush “alatus” which can be invasive.

Fothergilla is easily grown in full sun or part shade. It does prefer a moist, slightly acidic and organically rich soil with good drainage. Having good shade tolerance it spreads by root suckers and can if left alone form colonies, providing a lush green screening.

Fothergilla Major is commonly known as with alder and is a member of the family Hamamelis. It is native to the eastern U.S., primarily in mountain woods, ravines and along stream banks. Having a slow growth habit, it can reach 6 to 10 feet in height with an upright and spreading habit. In the spring it puts forth white aromatic flowers of terminal bottlebrush-like spikes (1-3” long) after the foliage emerges. Flower color comes from the dense clusters of showy stamens (white filaments and yellowish anthers). It also has excellent fall colors when the foliage turns to excellent shades of yellow, orange and red-purple. It is also a deer resistant plant making it an excellent choice for woodland gardens and backyards.

Group or mass in shrub borders, foundation plantings or native plantings. Hedges. Mixes easily with rhododendrons, which generally share the same soil requirements.

‘Mount Airy’ is a hybrid fothergilla cultivar that was discovered by plantsman Michael A. Dirr at the Mt. Airy Arboretum in Cincinnati, Ohio. This is a vigorous deciduous shrub that grows 4-5’ tall and is noted for its profuse spring flowering, excellent summer foliage, excellent fall color and consistently upright habit. Terminal, bottlebrush-like spikes (1-3” long) of tiny, fragrant, apetalous, white flowers bloom in spring (April-May) after the foliage emerges.

Flower color comes from the dense clusters of showy stamens (white filaments and yellowish anthers). Flowers have a honey-scented frangrance. Leathery, ovate to obovate leaves (2-4” long) are dark green above and bluish gray beneath. Foliage turns excellent shades of yellow, orange and red-purple in fall. ‘Mount Airy’ may be a cross between two southeastern U.S. natives, F. gardenii and F. major. It is taller than the former but shorter than the latter.

At Lincoln Landscaping cultivating the environment is our life and livelihood. It is our number one goal to help our clients create and maintain beautiful landscapes while reducing the impact on the environment. Whether you are interested in a pollinator landscape garden design and build or other landscaping or property management project; we can create for you an environmentally friendly, organic and beautiful property.