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dwarf witchalder
Scientific Name: Fothergilla gardenii
Family: Hamamelidaceae
Category: Dicot
Growth: Shrub
Duration: Perennial
Other Names: GA (dwarf witch-alder)
Dwarf Witch-alder (Fothergilla gardenii)
Fothergilla gardenii, commonly known as Dwarf Witch-alder or Dwarf Witchalder, is a charming flowering shrub appreciated for its fragrant spring blooms and attractive foliage.
Considerations for Pets
- This plant is a shrub and can form a low thicket if conditions are favorable.
Taxonomy and Nomenclature
- Scientific Name: Fothergilla gardenii L.
- Common Names: Dwarf Witchalder, Dwarf Witch-alder, Dwarf Fothergilla
- Family: Hamamelidaceae (Witch-Hazel Family)
- Genus: Fothergilla
- Synonyms: Fothergilla gardenii, Fothergilla major (Note: Fothergilla major is typically recognized as a separate species).
Distribution and Habitat
- Native to southeastern coastal areas of North America.
- Observed in locations such as Floyd County, Georgia, and upstate New York.
- Grows well in USDA zones 4-9.
Morphological Characteristics and Growth Habits
- Deciduous shrub that grows to about 3 feet tall.
- Known to form a low thicket if conditions are favorable.
- White, petal-less flowers with a hint of green bloom in Spring.
- Flowers have a honey-like fragrance.
- Leaves turn bright orange-red in the fall when planted in full sun.
Ecological Role
- The flowers are a good source of nectar for insects.
Quirky Facts
- The flowers have a notable honey fragrance that is especially pronounced in mid-May in certain locations like upstate New York (Zone 4a).
Further Information
- USDA, NRCS. The PLANTS Database. National Plant Data Center, Baton Rouge, LA, USA.
- Dawes Arboretum
- Highline SeaTac Botanical Gardens SeaTac Washington. (www.ci.seatac.wa.us/park/botanica.htm)
- Discover Life