The U.S. National Arboretum
Family
Hamamelidaceae
Botanical Name
Fothergilla gardenii 'Blue Mist'
Plant Common Name
Dwarf Fothergilla, Dwarf Witchalder
General Description
Dwarf witchalder boasts honey-scented flowers in the spring and spectacular orange to scarlet fall foliage that is second to none. A slow-growing deciduous shrub with rounded leaves, it is a native of the southeastern United States. In early spring, before leaves emerge, cream-colored “brushes” open on branch tips, releasing a sweet odor.
Dwarf witchalder grows in both sun and shade and is best in a moist or even wet soil. Preferring acidic, well-draining peat or sand, it will also tolerate an alkaline condition (such as near a concrete foundation).
Blue Mist witchalder is a compact, mounded form of the dwarf fothergilla first found in the garden of John and Lydia Morris, which later became the Morris Arboretum. This cultivar was named by Tom Dilatush and assigned the name 'Blue Mist' in 1987. A very attractive shrub, its best characteristic is the blue-green foliage. It prefers light shade rather than a full sun exposure, with ample year-round soil moisture. Unfortunately, this cultivar does not yield the same brilliant fall color as other fothergillas. Use it more for the spring flowers and beautiful summer leaves. For this reason, it may suit itself best as a shorter companion planting around taller and larger rhododendrons with plain green leaves. It is also a pleasing contrast to other dark-green or glossy-leafed shrubs that are in the background.
Characteristics
-
AHS Heat Zone
9 - 1
-
USDA Hardiness Zone
5 - 8
-
Sunset Zone
3a, 3b, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 17
-
Plant Type
Shrub
-
Sun Exposure
Full Sun, Partial Sun, Partial Shade
-
Height
2'-3' / 0.6m - 0.9m
-
Width
2'-3' / 0.6m - 0.9m
-
Bloom Time
Early Spring, Spring
-
Native To
Southeastern United States
Growing Conditions
-
Soil pH
Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
-
Soil Drainage
Average
-
Soil type
Loam, Sand
-
Tolerances
Wet Site
-
Growth Rate
Slow
-
Water Requirements
Average Water, Ample Water
-
Habit
Oval/Rounded
-
Seasonal Interest
Spring, Summer, Fall
