- Botanical name: Fothergilla major
- Common name: Mountain witch alder
- Family: Hamamelidaceae
- Plant Type: Shrub, Deciduous
White
Green
Mountain witch alder, Fothergilla major, is an attractively branched deciduous shrub native to the forests of the southern Appalachian Mountains.
It’s primarily grown for its creamy bottlebrush flowers, which are fantastically perfumed and often smelled before they’re seen. In autumn, the glaucous green leaves turn blazing shades of yellow, orange and red before falling.
For best results, grow Fothergilla major in full sun or partial shade in moist, well-drained and acidic soil. Softwood cuttings can be taken from early to midsummer. Boost the humus content of the soil by mulching with leaf mould. Fothergilla major has been awarded the Royal Horticultural Society’s prestigious Award of Garden Merit (AGM).
How to grow Fothergilla major
-
Plant size
2.5m height
1.5m spread
-
Aspect
South facing, east facing, west facing
-
Position in border
Back
- Sun exposure: Dappled shade, full sun, partial shade
- Shade type: Damp
- Hardiness: Hardy
- Soil type: Acidic / clay / heavy / moist / well drained / light / sandy
Plant calendar
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plant | ||||||||||||
| Plant |
J
Do Plant in January |
F
Do Plant in February |
M
Do not Plant in March |
A
Do not Plant in April |
M
Do not Plant in May |
J
Do not Plant in June |
J
Do not Plant in July |
A
Do not Plant in August |
S
Do Plant in September |
O
Do Plant in October |
N
Do Plant in November |
D
Do Plant in December |
| Flowers | ||||||||||||
| Flowers |
J
Plant does not flower in January |
F
Plant does not flower in February |
M
Plant does flower in March |
A
Plant does flower in April |
M
Plant does not flower in May |
J
Plant does not flower in June |
J
Plant does not flower in July |
A
Plant does not flower in August |
S
Plant does not flower in September |
O
Plant does not flower in October |
N
Plant does not flower in November |
D
Plant does not flower in December |
| Take cuttings | ||||||||||||
| Take cuttings |
J
Do not Take cuttings in January |
F
Do not Take cuttings in February |
M
Do not Take cuttings in March |
A
Do not Take cuttings in April |
M
Do not Take cuttings in May |
J
Do Take cuttings in June |
J
Do Take cuttings in July |
A
Do not Take cuttings in August |
S
Do not Take cuttings in September |
O
Do not Take cuttings in October |
N
Do not Take cuttings in November |
D
Do not Take cuttings in December |
Fothergilla major and wildlife
Fothergilla major is known for attracting bees and butterflies/moths. It has nectar/pollen rich flowers.
Attractive to Bees
Does not attract Beneficial insects
Does not attract Birds
Attractive to Butterflies/Moths
Does not attract Other pollinators
Is Fothergilla major poisonous?
Fothergilla major has no toxic effects reported.
No reported toxicity to Birds
No reported toxicity to Cats
No reported toxicity to Dogs
No reported toxicity to Horses
No reported toxicity to Livestock
No reported toxicity to People
Plants that go well with Fothergilla major
