Overview
Fothergilla is a genus of shrubs in the witch-hazel family (Hamamelidaceae) native to woodlands and swamps of the southeastern U.S. that is typically referred to by the genus name, although occasionally the common name of witch-alder is used. The two species, F. latifolia (formerly F. major) and F. gardenii, are offered in the nursery trade (and often confused in the industry and in garden literature) along with hybrids (often listed as Fothergilla x intermedia) and cultivars. Hardiness typically ranges from zones 4a or 5a depending on the type. The old name F. monticola, Alabama witch alder, which has glabrous leaves, is now included in F. latifolia. The two species are very similar, except for flower size, leaf base symmetry, and mature overall plant size and habit.
These low, dense, slow-growing but long-lived, multi-stemmed deciduous shrubs have downy twigs with a zig-zag branching habit, offering interest in winter when leafless. F. latifolia, large fothergilla, grows 6 to 12 feet tall and almost as wide with a rangy character. F. gardenii, dwarf fothergilla, forms a rounded shrub 1 ½ to 3 feet tall and 2 to 4 feet wider. Hybrids are intermediate in size and form.
Terminal 1 ½ to 3 inch long spikes of bottlebrush-like inflorescences are produced from very pubescent buds before the leaves in spring. Male and female flowers occur separately within each inflorescence (monoecious), and neither have petals. Only the male flowers are showy, with their clusters of prominent stamens with creamy-white filaments and yellow anthers. They have a sweet, vaguely honey-like fragrance that makes them attractive to bees and other pollinators. The flowers typically last for 2 to 3 weeks and then are covered up by the expanding new foliage.
The flowers are followed by olive-brown beaked capsules that mature in the fall, each with two shiny black seeds that are forcibly ejected when ripe.
The broad, ovoid green to blue-green alternate leaves are variably pubescent, with a rounded base and pointed end. They have a slightly coarsely toothed upper margin (from mid-point to the apex) and a ridged or quilted appearance. The base of the leaf is symmetric in F. gardenii, while that of F. latifolia is strongly asymmetric, and the leaves of the latter species are larger. The leathery foliage remains attractive throughout the season and develops brilliant yellow, orange, red and/or burgundy colors late in the fall – often with all these colors combined on one shrub. The degree of coloration is affected by sunlight, moisture levels, and temperature, as well as genetics, so the display can be variable from location to location and by year.
Landscape Use of Fothergilla
Use fothergilla as a specimen plant in a cottage garden, an accent plant in foundation plantings (the low growing types are great for under windows as they don’t get tall enough to block the view), as part of mixed perennial and shrub gardens or borders, for informal hedges or in masses, or naturalized in woodland gardens, as it competes fairly well with tree roots. Place where the fragrance can be appreciated or against a dark-colored wall or in front of evergreens where the darker backdrop will set off the flowers and fall color. They combine well with rhododendrons, ornamental grasses, ferns, dwarf evergreens, ninebarks, viburnums and dogwoods. Fothergilla is a good alternative to the invasive Asian burning bush (Euonymus alatus) for its bright fall color.
Grow fothergilla in full sun to light shade in fertile, well-drained slightly acidic soil. F. gardenii does best in moist soil, while F. latifolia and the hybrids tend to be more adaptable to a wider range of soil and moisture conditions. Flowering and fall color tends to be better on plants in full sun, but in hotter climates plants they may perform better with some later afternoon shade. This shrub has no significant insect or disease problems and is not favored by deer or rabbits. It requires little maintenance other than light pruning to remove any unwanted suckers or damaged branches immediately after flowering. F. gardenia will spread to form colonies if suckers are not promptly removed. To encourage faster growth, fertilize in spring with an acid fertilizer. In fertile soils, plants do not need additional fertilization.
Propagating Fothergilla
Fothergilla is most commonly propagated from cuttings, as the seeds are difficult to germinate (and cuttings are necessary to maintain the hybrids or cultivars). Softwood cuttings taken in late spring through mid-summer and cuttings from suckers or root pieces are relatively easy to propagate.
Cultivars of Fothergilla
Because of variation in environmental preferences, size, and other characteristics among the two species and hybrids, choose species or cultivars suited to local growing conditions. Some selections include:
- BEAVER CREEK™ (variety ‘KLMtwo’) is a F. x intermedia cultivar selected by Roy Klehm. Plants grow 2 to 3 feet high, with a dense rounded form and blue-green leaves with fall color that is bright yellow to red.
- ‘Blue Mist’ is a selection of F. gardenii introduced by the Morris Arboretum that grows 2 to 3 feet tall and wide. It has good blue leaf color during the summer, but is somewhat low in vigor and its fall color is inconsistent. Zone 5a hardy.
- ‘Blue Shadow’ is a sport of ‘Mt. Airy’ (F. x intermedia, despite often being labeled as F. gardenii) with a mounded habit and intense powder blue leaves (similar in color to blue hostas like ‘Hadspen Blue’ or ‘Blue Mouse Ears’), but lacks fall color. Grows 4 to 6 feet tall and wide. Plant patent 15,490 (expired).
- ‘Harold Epstein’ is a very compact green-leaved variety of F. gardenii growing just 12 to 15 inches tall and 24 inches wide, with good vigor and yellow to scarlet fall color. Named for Harold Epstein (1903 to 1997), plant collector and avid rock gardener. Zone 5b hardy.
- ‘Jane Platt’ is an older cultivar of F. gardenii that originated in the Portland, Oregon garden of Jane and John Platt. It has green leaves and only grows 2 to 3 feet tall and wide, but its fall color can be inconsistent. Zone 5a hardy.
- MAY BOUQUET™ (variety ‘KLMsixteen’) is another selection of F. x intermedia by Roy Klehm with large, rounded flowers and yellow to apricot fall color. Grows 4 to 6 feet tall and 3 to 4 feet wide. Hardy to zone 5a.
- ‘Mount Airy’ is a hybrid (F. x intermedia) discovered at Mount Airy Arboretum in Cincinnati, Ohio by Dr. Michael Dirr of the University of Georgia as a chance seedling. Grows 4 to 5 feet tall and wide with an upright habit, profuse flowering, and intense fall color. Zone 5a hardy.
- ‘Red Licorice’ is a F. x intermedia variety with dark, licorice red fall color that grows 6 to 10 feet tall and 5 to 9 feet wide. Introduced by the Bernheim Arboretum in Clermont, Kentucky).
- RED MONARCH™ (variety ‘KLMfifteen’) is another hybrid F. x intermedia developed by Roy Klehm with spectacular red fall color. Grows 8 feet tall and is hardy to zone 4a.
- ‘Suzanne’ is a compact variety of F. gardenii that grows 2 to 2 ½ feet tall and 2 to 3 feet wide, with blue green leaves that change to red-orange in fall. Hardy to zone 5a.
- ‘Windy City’ is a hybrid (F. x intermedia) that grows 2 to 3 feet high and wide, with upright form and outstanding fall color. Hardy to zone 4a.
Author: Susan Mahr, University of Wisconsin-Madison
Reviewers: Allen R. Pyle, Horticulture Outreach Specialist, UW-Madison Extension, Bruce Spangenberg, Horticulture Outreach Specialist, UW-Madison Extension
Revised: October 2026
