Culture
Easily grown in average, medium moisture, well-drained soils in full sun to part shade. Prefers moist, acidic, organically rich soils which have good drainage. Good shade tolerance. May spread by root suckers to form colonies if suckers are not promptly removed. May not be reliably winter hardy in the northern parts of USDA Zone 5.
Noteworthy Characteristics
Large fothergilla (also tall fothergilla or mountain witch alder) is a member of the same family as witch hazel (Hamamelis). It is native to the southeastern U.S. and in particular to the southern Appalachians where it typically occurs in mountain woods, ravines and along stream banks. It is a slow-growing, deciduous shrub that grows 6-10’ tall with an upright spreading habit. It is noted for its aromatic spring flowers, quality summer foliage, excellent fall color and excellent disease resistance. Terminal, bottlebrush-like spikes (1-3” long) of tiny, fragrant, apetulous, white flowers bloom in spring (April-May) after the foliage emerges. Flower color comes from the dense clusters of showy stamens (white filaments and yellowish anthers). Flowers are aromatic. Ovate to obovate dark green leaves (2-4” long) are leathery above and blue-gray beneath. Leaves are typically toothed in the upper 2/3 of the leaf. Foliage turns excellent shades of yellow, orange and red-purple in fall. Fruit is a beaked, egg-shaped capsule (to 1/2” long). Each capsule contains two brown seeds. Capsules mature in fall, eventually bursting and explosively broadcasting the seed. Genus name honors Dr. John Fothergill, 18th century English physician and early collector of American plants. Fothergilla major is very similar to another SE U. S. native, Fothergilla gardenii, except, inter alia, F. major is (1) taller, (2) produces flowers after its leaves emerge and (3) leaves have more marginal teeth.
Garden Uses
Group or mass in shrub borders, foundation plantings or native plantings. Hedges. Mixes easily with rhododendrons, which generally share the same soil requirements.