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Dwarf Fothergilla Shrub
Dwarf Fothergilla Shrub
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Fothergilla gardenii
Dwarf Fothergilla
The Dwarf Fothergilla is a compact, low-maintenance native shrub beloved for its fragrant spring flowers, lush summer foliage, and fiery fall color. Its bottlebrush-like blooms appear before the leaves in early spring, offering a sweet scent and nectar for early pollinators.
Perfect for small gardens, foundation plantings, and naturalized woodland edges, Dwarf Fothergilla is a four-season gem with striking beauty in every phase.
Dwarf Fothergilla Overview
|
Attribute |
Details |
|
🌿 Botanical Name |
Fothergilla gardenii |
|
🏷️ Common Names |
Dwarf Fothergilla, Dwarf Witch Alder |
|
🌳 Mature Height |
2–4 feet |
|
🌐 Mature Width |
2–4 feet |
|
📈 Growth Rate |
Slow to moderate (6–12" per year) |
|
⏳ Lifespan |
30+ years |
|
🧊 USDA Zones |
4–8 |
|
❄️ Chill Hours |
500–800 hours |
|
☀️ Sun Preference |
Full sun to partial shade (best color in full sun) |
|
🧱 Soil Type |
Moist, well-drained acidic soil |
|
⚖️ Soil pH |
Acidic (5.0–6.5) |
|
💧 Water Needs |
Moderate; avoid prolonged drought |
|
🌸 Flower Color |
Creamy white bottlebrush blooms; early spring |
|
🍒 Fruit Type |
Inconspicuous; not ornamental or edible |
|
🐝 Pollinators |
Attracts bees and early spring pollinators |
|
🌿 Growth Habit |
Compact, mounded, and suckering form |
|
↔️ Spacing |
2–4 ft apart in groups or borders |
|
🏡 Landscape Uses |
Foundation plantings, woodland edges, mixed borders |
|
🧹 Maintenance Level |
Very low |
Environmental Benefits
🌸 Provides nectar-rich blooms for early pollinators emerging in spring
🌿 Supports native plant diversity in woodland and acidic soil gardens
🍁 Offers vivid fall foliage in orange, red, and purple hues
🌧️ Helps with soil stabilization on gentle slopes or banks
Pros & Cons
|
✅ Pros |
⚠️ Cons |
|
🌸 Fragrant flowers bloom before leaves emerge |
🍂 Slow growth means slower landscape fill-in |
|
🍁 Brilliant fall color rivals that of maples |
🌱 Prefers acidic soils; may struggle in alkaline conditions |
|
🧬 Native to the Southeastern U.S. with high ornamental value |
💧 Sensitive to prolonged drought if not established |
|
🏡 Perfect for small spaces and layered plantings |
✂️ Minimal pruning required, but can sucker gradually |
|
🐝 Pollinator magnet in early spring |
🔄 Limited fruit or wildlife food production |
Planting & Care Guide
🛁 Water deeply after planting to settle roots
🕳️ Dig a hole twice the width of the root ball; plant level with soil line
🌾 Mulch with pine bark or pine needles to retain moisture and increase soil acidity
💦 Maintain consistent moisture, especially in hot/dry periods
✂️ Prune lightly after blooming to shape or remove suckers if desired
🧪 Fertilize in spring with compost or acid-loving shrub food
The Dwarf Fothergilla is a petite powerhouse of seasonal interest — with fragrant spring flowers, dense green foliage, and fall colors that stop you in your tracks. Whether nestled into a foundation bed or grouped along a woodland path, this native shrub is an effortless way to add elegance, color, and pollinator support to your landscape.
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