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Fothergilla gardenii

Fothergilla gardenii
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Order: Saxifragales
Family: Hamamelidaceae
Genus: Fothergilla
Species:
F. gardenii
Binomial name
Fothergilla gardenii
Fothergilla gardenii foliage

Fothergilla gardenii, also known by the common names witch alder,[1] dwarf fothergilla,[2] American wych hazel,[3] and dwarf witchalder[citation needed] is a deciduous shrub in the Hamamelidaceae family. It is one of two species in the genus Fothergilla.[1][2]

Description

  • Type: Slow-growing[2] deciduous shrub.[1][2]
  • Height/spread: Max height and spread is 0.9 m (3 ft)[2] to 1 m (3 ft).[1]
  • Leaves: Dark green, alternate leaves emerge in spring[1] and range in shape from oval[1][2] to obovate.[1] Sizes up to 6 cm (2.5 in) in length,[1] with irregularly[2] toothed margins.[1][2] Striking autumn colors, including bright red,[1] crimson,[2] orange, and yellow.[1][2]
  • Inflorescences: Terminal cylindrical[1] spikes[1][2] to 4 cm (1.5 in) are borne in spring,[1] before the leaves emerge.[1][2]
    • Flowers: Small,[1] white, petal-less, highly fragrant. Conspicuous filaments[1][2] are 2.5 cm (1 in) long.[1]

Distribution

Native to the southeastern USA,[1][2] from North Carolina to Alabama.[2]

Cultivation

  • Hardiness: Fully hardy,[1] to -29 °C (-20 °F).[2] USDA zones 5-9.[2]
  • Cultivation: Prefers full sun[1][2] or partial shade[1] and humus-rich, well-drained soil which is kept moist.[1][2] Full sun gives the best autumn color.[2] Does well in woodland gardens or shrub borders.[1]
  • Propagation:
    • Seed Sow seed outdoors in a cold frame or seedbed in autumn or winter. Seed typically germinates the second spring after sowing.[1] Fresh seed works best.[2]
    • Cuttings Take softwood cuttings in summer[1][2] and root them in a mist unit.[1]
    • Layering:
      • Air Layering Air layer in summer.[1]
      • Simple Layering Can be propagated by layering.[2]
  • Pests and Diseases: Trouble free.[1]

Cultivars

The cultivar 'Blue Mist' is grown for its glaucous blue-green foliage.[1][2]

Etymology

Fothergilla is named for Dr. John Fothergill (1712-1780) of Stratford, Essex, a physician and introducer of American plants.[3]

Gardenii is named for Dr. Alexander Garden (1730-1791), an Anglo-American botanist and correspondent with Carl Linnaeus.[3]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad Brickell, Christopher "The Royal Horticultural Society A-Z of Garden Plants (Volume 1: A-J)", 3rd ed. Copyright 1996, 2003, 2008 Dorling Kindersley Ltd., London. ISBN 9781405332965 pp. 452-453
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x Hogan, Sean, chief consultant. 2003, 2004. "Flora A Gardener's Encyclopedia", Global Nook Publishing Pty Ltd, Timber Press. ISBN 0881925381. pp. 608
  3. ^ a b c Gledhill, David (2008). "The Names of Plants". Cambridge University Press. ISBN 9780521866453 (hardback), ISBN 9780521685535 (paperback). pp 169, 175
  • Thomas G. Ranney and Nathan P. Lynch, Clarifying Taxonomy and Nomenclature of Fothergilla (Hamamelidaceae) Cultivars and Hybrids, HORTSCIENCE 42(3):470–473. 2007.
Retrieved from "https://en.Wik.ipedia.Pro.org/w/index.php?title=Fothergilla_gardenii&oldid=1157926795"

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