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Position

Sun Exposure:
Dappled shade, full sun, partial shade
Aspect:
East facing, south facing, west facing
Position in Border:
Back
Shade Type:
Damp

Soil

Acidic / Clay / Heavy / Moist / Well Drained / Light / Sandy

Mountain witch alder, Fothergilla major, is an attractively branched deciduous shrub native to the forests of the southern Appalachian Mountains.

It's primarily grown for its creamy bottlebrush flowers, which are fantastically perfumed and often smelled before they're seen. In autumn, the glaucous green leaves turn blazing shades of yellow, orange and red before falling.

For best results, grow Fothergilla major in full sun or partial shade in moist, well-drained and acidic soil. Softwood cuttings can be taken from early to midsummer. Boost the humus content of the soil by mulching with leaf mould. Fothergilla major has been awarded the Royal Horticultural Society's prestigious Award of Garden Merit (AGM).

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Plant calendar

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Plantyesyesyesyesyesyes
Flowersyesyes
Take cuttingsyesyes

Fothergilla ‘Major’ and wildlife

Fothergilla ‘Major’ is known for attracting bees and butterflies/moths. It has nectar/pollen rich flowers.

Is known to attract Bees
Bees
Is not known to attract Beneficial insects
Beneficial insects
Is not known to attract Birds
Birds
Is known to attract Butterflies/​Moths
Butterflies/​Moths
Is not known to attract Other pollinators
Other pollinators

Is Fothergilla ‘Major’ poisonous?

Fothergilla ‘Major’ has no toxic effects reported.

No reported toxicity to:
Is not known to attract Birds
Birds
Is not known to attract Cats
Cats
Is not known to attract Dogs
Dogs
Is not known to attract Horses
Horses
Is not known to attract Livestock
Livestock
Is not known to attract People
People
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