How to Grow Fothergilla Gardenii - Plant Care & Tips

By NorwichGardener Team   /   2025

Fothergilla gardenii is a deciduous shrub that is native to the southeastern United States. It is a member of the witch-hazel family and is closely related to the common witch-hazel (Hamamelis virginiana). fothergilla gardenii is a small shrub that typically grows to 4-6 feet tall and wide. It has glossy, dark green leaves that turn yellow, orange, and red in the fall. The flowers are small and white, appearing in spring before the leaves.

How to Grow Fothergilla Gardenii - Plant Care & Tips

Also called

  • American witch alder
  • Appalachian witch alder
  • Dwarf witch alder
  • Garden fothergilla
  • Northern witch alder

Good to Know

  • Fothergilla gardenii is a deciduous shrub native to the southeastern United States.
  • It typically grows to 6-10 feet tall and wide.
  • The leaves are ovate-shaped and turn a brilliant yellow, orange, and red in the fall.
  • The white, fragrant flowers appear in early spring before the leaves emerge.
  • Fothergilla gardenii is relatively easy to grow and is adaptable to a variety of soil types and conditions.
  • It prefers full sun to partial shade and does not tolerate drought well.
  • Regular pruning is necessary to maintain its shape and size.
  • Fothergilla gardenii is susceptible to a number of pests and diseases, including scale, mealybugs, aphids, and powdery mildew.
  • It is generally deer-resistant.
  • Fothergilla gardenii can be propagated by seed, softwood cuttings, or hardwood cuttings.

Related plant:
Fothergilla

How to Grow

  1. For fothergilla gardenii, first step is to choose a site with full sun to partial sun.
  2. The second step is to prepare the planting area by clearing away any debris and loosening the soil.
  3. Third, you will need to dig a hole that is twice the width and depth of the root ball.
  4. Fourth, place the root ball in the hole and backfill with the excavated soil.
  5. Fifth, water the plant deeply and thoroughly.
  6. Sixth, add a layer of mulch around the base of the plant, but not touching the stem.
  7. Seventh, fertilize the plant once a year in the spring with a slow-release fertilizer.
  8. Eighth, prune the plant as needed to shape and control growth.
  9. Ninth, monitor the plant for pests and diseases and take action as needed.
  10. Finally, enjoy your beautiful fothergilla gardenii!

Related plant:
Fothergilla Blue Shadow

Soil Requirement

About soil condition, Fothergilla gardenii prefers well-drained, acidic soil with a pH of 5.5 to 6.5. It also does best in full sun to partial shade, but it can tolerate more shade than other Fothergilla species. The plant is also quite tolerant of salt spray and wind, making it a good choice for coastal gardens.

Light condition

Like the other members of the Fothergilla genus, Fothergilla gardenii require full sun in order to produce the most beautiful flowers. If you live in an area with cooler summers, make sure to plant this shrub in a spot that gets at least six hours of sunlight per day. In hotter climates, some afternoon shade will help protect the plant from heat stress.

The Temperature

The temperature conditions for planting Fothergilla gardenii are that the soil should be moist and the air temperature should be between 60-70 degrees Fahrenheit. Fothergilla gardenii will not tolerate drought or extreme heat. The plant is native to woodlands in the southeastern United States, so it prefers a shady location.

Humidity Level

Ideal humidity condition for this plant is 50%. If the humidity drops below 50%, the leaves will start to turn brown and drop off. If the humidity rises above 50%, the leaves will start to get yellow and drop off.

Fertilizer Requirement

About fertilizer, this kind of plant doesn't need much. Once a year is really all that's necessary, and in most cases, you can just use a general-purpose fertilizer. For the roots, they like to be kept moist but not soggy, so make sure the soil is well-drained.

Light requirement

Pruning your Fothergilla Gardenii is important to maintain its shape and size. Gardenii are fast-growing shrubs, so pruning is necessary to prevent them from becoming overgrown. Early spring is the best time to prune gardenii, before new growth begins. Start by removing any dead or damaged branches. Next, cut back any long or leggy branches to promote fuller growth. Finally, shape the plant by pruning back the side branches to create a symmetrical look.

The Propagation

Propagation of Fothergilla Gardenii is typically done through rooting stem cuttings taken from the parent plant. The cuttings should be taken from new growth that is still soft, and they should be about 4-6 inches in length. Cuttings should be taken in the spring or summer, and they should be placed in a well-draining potting mix. Once the cuttings have been placed in the potting mix, they should be kept moist and in a location with indirect sunlight until they have rooted.

Plant Growth

Usually, the plant growth rate is in the spring and early summer. During this time, the plant can grow several inches per week. The growth rate slows down during the hot summer months, but picks back up in the cooler autumn months.

Basic Problems

Common problems for this kind of plant are powdery mildew and botrytis. Powdery mildew is a white powdery fungus that will cover the leaves and cause them to become distorted. Botrytis is a gray fungus that will affect the flowers and leaves. These problems can be controlled with fungicides.

List to Know

  • Remember to plant your fothergilla gardenii in an area that receives full sun to partial shade.
  • Make sure the soil you plant in is well-drained and contains plenty of organic matter.
  • Water your fothergilla gardenii regularly, especially during the first growing season.
  • Fertilize your plant yearly with a balanced fertilizer.
  • To encourage bushiness, prune fothergilla gardenii in early spring.
  • Protect your plant from strong winds by planting it in a sheltered location.
  • Deer tend to leave fothergilla gardenii alone, but rabbits and other small animals may nibble on the leaves.
  • This plant is relatively disease- and pest-resistant.
  • Fothergilla gardenii can be propagated by softwood cuttings taken in late spring or early summer.
  • This plant is relatively low-

Alternative Plants

  • Post the above list in alphabetical content.
  • Do not change the word arrangement of each line.
  • Indent five spaces at the beginning of each line.
  • Double-space all lines.
  • Use italics for botanical name.
  • Agarista populifolia
  • Aralia spinosa
  • Arctostaphylos uva-ursi
  • Betula lenta
  • Chamaedaphne calyculata

Source:
Fothergilla gardenii - Ohio State University
Fothergilla—A Four Season Shrub to Consider for Your Garden
Dwarf Fothergilla (Fothergilla gardenii) - Selecting Shrubs for Your ...

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Reviewed & Published by Richelle
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Shrubs Category