Fothergilla gardenii is a moisture-loving, acid soil-requiring compact small shrub with multi-season interests. Dwarf Fothergilla displays showy white-green flowers in mid-spring and vibrant late autumn foliage. It is often utilized as a specimen, group planting, or facer shrub.
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F E A T U R E S |
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Form
-small deciduous shrub
-maturing slowly at 3' tall x 3' wide
-upright rounded growth habit, becoming globular with age
-slow growth rate |
Foliage
-medium to dark green (occasionally blue-green) and resembling a Witchhazel leaf
-alternate, broadly obovate, with crenate margins on the upper half
-veins impressed (sunken), with the short petiole pubescent
-autumn color a vibrant mixture of yellow-orange-pink-scarlet on the same plant at the same time
-coloring in Oct. to early Nov. and often showy, especially when placed in full sun to partial sun |
Flowers
-white, apetalous (no petals), with the showy portions being the white filaments (to 1" long each) that expand from the emerging light green oval inflorescences
-appearing in late Apr. or early May as the leaves start to emerge and very showy, effective for 1-2 weeks |
Fruit
-small olive-brown capsules, noticeable but not showy |
Twig
-light tan and zigzag, becoming gray on branches
-lightly pubescent twigs are terminated by very pubescent buds, most of which are ovoid floral buds |
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Trunk
-not applicable |
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C U L T
U R E
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Culture
-full sun to full shade
-needs moist, rich, well-drained, acid soil that is irrigated during dry periods of summer for best performance
-propagated primarily by rooted stem cuttings
-few disease or pest problems, but very subject to decline and death under alkaline soil and drought stress conditions
-moderately available in container form
-tolerant of wet sites, but not tolerant of dry conditions, partially due to the shallow root system |
Hardiness
-zones 5 to 8
Origin
-native to Southeastern U.S.
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U S A G E |
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Assets
-showy white apetalous (no petals) flowers
-brilliant mixture of autumn colors
-compact form
-wet site tolerant
Liabilities
-slow growth
-not drought tolerant |
Function
-foundation, facer, mass planting, seasonal interest, or specimen shrub
-good in combination with Azaleas and Rhododendrons as long as all have acid soil
Texture
-medium texture in foliage and when bare
-thick density in foliage and when bare |
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S E L
E C T I 0 N S |
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Varieties
and Cultivars
- Search
OSU PlantFacts for additional plants in this species
Alternates
-companion shrubs for shady spots (Buxus, Kalmia, Leucothoe, Pieris, Rhododendron [including Azaleas], etc.) - most of these require moist, well-drained, acidic soils |