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Fothergilla major 'Airy'

Image of Fothergilla major 'Mt. Airy'

Hahira Nursery

Family

Hamamelidaceae

Botanical Name

Fothergilla major 'Airy'

Plant Common Name

Mountain Witchalder, Mt. Airy Witchalder

General Description

Mt. Airy witchalder is an upright deciduous shrub with pretty white flowers and great fall color. This vigorous growing native of the southeastern United States boasts outstanding light green leaves with a fall coloring in shades of orange and red. The numerous bottlebrush flowers are fragrant and open in mid-spring.

Mt. Airy witchalder grows in full sun to shade with a multi-stemmed round or upright habit. In warmer areas, it will prefer a light-shade exposure. Avoid very dry compacted soils. Its best performance is seen in peat or sandy loams with consistent moisture. It does tolerate mildly alkaline soils well, too.

Characteristics

  • AHS Heat Zone

    8 - 5

  • 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

  • Height

    4'-6' / 1.2m - 1.8m

  • Width

    4'-8' / 1.2m - 2.4m

  • Bloom Time

    Spring

  • Native To

    Southeastern United States

Growing Conditions

  • Soil pH

    Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline

  • Soil Drainage

    Average

  • Soil type

    Clay, Loam, Sand

  • Tolerances

    Wet Site

  • Growth Rate

    Medium

  • Water Requirements

    Average Water

  • Habit

    Oval/Rounded

  • Seasonal Interest

    Spring, Fall

Ornamental Features

  • Flower Interest

    Showy

  • Flower Color

    White, Ivory

  • Fruit Color

    Black

  • Foliage Color (Spring)

    Light Green, Lime Green

  • Foliage Color (Summer)

    Lime Green, Blue Green

  • Foliage Color (Fall)

    Red, Orange

  • Bark Color

    Gray

  • Fragrant Flowers

    Yes

  • Fragrant Fruit

    No

  • Fragrant Foliage

    No

  • Bark or Stem Fragrant

    No

  • Repeat Bloomer

    No

  • Showy Fruit

    No

  • Edible Fruit

    No

  • Showy Foliage

    Yes

  • Foliage Texture

    Coarse

  • Foliage Sheen

    Matte

  • Evergreen

    No

  • Showy Bark

    No

Special Characteristics

  • Bark Texture

    Smooth

  • Usage

    Feature Plant, Foundation, Hedges, Screening / Wind Break

  • Sharp or Has Thorns

    No

  • Invasive

    No

  • Attracts

    Birds

  • Self-Sowing

    No