Share

Native Plant Database

Search for native plants by scientific name, common name or family. If you are not sure what you are looking for, try the Combination Search or our Recommended Species lists.

Search native plant database:
Name:    
Family:    

Fothergilla major (Mountain witchalder)
Makin, Julie

Fothergilla major (Sims) Lodd.

Mountain witchalder, Mountain witch-alder, Large fothergilla

Hamamelidaceae (Witch-Hazel Family)

USDA Symbol: FOMA

USDA Native Status: Native to U.S.

Mountain witch-alder or large fothergilla is a 6-12 ft., deciduous shrub with picturesquely crooked, multiple stems. Dense, dark blue-green, leathery foliage becomes colorful in fall. The fragrant flower, appearing as a mass of stamens, is white and occurs in thimble-like, terminal spikes after the leaves have appeared.

 

From the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Shrub
Leaf Complexity: Simple
Flower:
Fruit:
Size Class: 6-12 ft.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: White
Bloom Time: Apr , May

Distribution

USA: AL , AR , GA , NC , SC , TN
Native Distribution: Scattered populations in the s.e. states
Native Habitat: Rich, mt. woods; rocky ravines; stream banks
USDA Native Status: L48(N)

Growing Conditions

Light Requirement: Part Shade
Soil pH: Acidic (pH<6.8)
Soil Description: Acid, gravelly loams.
Conditions Comments: This plant is tremendously disease and insect resistant. It fits well in a woodland garden of azaleas and rhododendrons. To get the best floral and foliage display, give fothergillas as much sunshine as possible. Though most horticultural information contends this species requires acid, humusy soil, large fothergilla has been proven successful on poorly draining, silty clay with a pH up to 7.5. Always avoid very dry sites.

Propagation

Description: Semi-hardwood cuttings root with or without hormone. Rooted cuttings should not be moved until new vegetative growth is over an inch long or normal winter dormancy is completed. Sucker can be separated to increase the plant. Progagation by seed is tric
Seed Collection: Not Available
Seed Treatment: Seed requires at least a six month warm-moist period, followed by a three month period of cold stratification.
Commercially Avail: yes

From the National Organizations Directory

According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is either on display or available from the following:

Delaware Nature Society - Hockessin, DE

Bibliography

Bibref 996 - Gardening with Native Plants of the South (1994) Wasowski, Sally and Andy Wasowski
Bibref 841 - Native Alternatives to Invasive Plants (2006) Burrell, C. C.

Search More Titles in Bibliography

Recommended Species Lists

Find native plant species by state. Each list contains commercially available species suitable for gardens and planned landscapes. Once you have selected a collection, you can browse the collection or search within it using the combination search.

View Recommended Species page

Additional resources

USDA: Find Fothergilla major in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Fothergilla major in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Fothergilla major

Metadata

Record Modified: 2012-07-31
Research By: TWC Staff

Go back