| Fothergilla major | |
|---|---|
 | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Order: | Saxifragales |
| Family: | Hamamelidaceae |
| Genus: | Fothergilla |
| Species: | F. major |
| Binomial name | |
| Fothergilla major Lodd. | |
| Synonyms [2] | |
| |
Fothergilla major, the large witch alder or mountain witch alder, is a species of flowering plant in the genus Fothergilla , family Hamamelidaceae, that is native to woodland and swamps in the Allegheny Mountains and southern Appalachian Mountains of the southeastern United States. [3] It is a deciduous shrub growing to 2.5 m (8 ft 2 in) with fragrant white bottlebrush flowers appearing along with, or before, the glossy leaves. The leaves often turn brilliant shades of red and orange in autumn. [4]
Fothergilla major prefers full sun to part shade and is disease and insect resistant. [5] It thrives in moist, acidic soils, but is fairly drought tolerant. [3] It is hardy in USDA hardiness zones 4–8. [6]
This plant is named for the English physician and plant collector John Fothergill (1712-1780). The Latin specific epithet major means "larger". [7] It has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit. [8] [9]
