wetland shrub
Coastal Witch-Alder
Fothergilla gardenii
1 of 2Native to Alabama, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina
Coastal plain from North Carolina to Mississippi and Tennessee
- Light Full sun to part shade Sun tolerance
- Moisture Moisture preference
- Zones 5–9 Cold to heat range
- Bloom Mar–May Flowering time
- Height up to 6 ft to 1.8 m
- Life cycle Perennial Annual to perennial
In the garden
A wetland shrub for full sun to part shade. Its white flowers peak in April. At up to 6 ft, it needs room in rain gardens, pond edges, and damp low spots. Hardy in USDA zones 5–9.
Growing conditions
Light
Full sun Partial shade Full shade
Moisture
Dry Moist Wet
Hardiness zones
Find your zone:
When it blooms
The Coastal Witch-Alder's white flowers bloom March to May, peaking in April. This spring display draws bees and flower flies.
Coastal Witch-Alder blooms whiteFoliage
Pollinators & wildlife
- Bees Eastern Carpenter Bee also Neighborly Mining Bee
- Flower flies Greater Bee Fly
Full plant details
Where it grows
- Habitat
- WetlandThe wild plant community it grows in.
- Native range
- Alabama, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, and South CarolinaUnited States (5): AL, FL, GA, NC, SC. Where it grows wild on its own, by state and province.
- Native distribution
- Coastal plain from North Carolina to Mississippi and TennesseeThe same native range, usually more exact than the state list, and often noting where it has spread beyond it.
Growing conditions
- Light
- Full sun to part shadeHow much sun it takes, from full sun to full shade.
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 5–9The cold-to-heat climate range it survives.
- Soil
- Well-drained, acid, peaty or sandy loamsThe soils it grows in naturally.
- Soil pH
- 5.0–6.0The acidity to alkalinity it tolerates (7 is neutral).
- Soil quality
- LowHow rich a soil it needs. Many natives prefer lean soil and flop in rich beds.
- Water use
- HighHow thirsty it is, a rough guide to how often to water.
- Salinity tolerance
- NoneHow well it copes with salty soil, near roads or the coast.
- Lime (CaCO₃) tolerance
- NoneHow well it copes with chalky, lime-rich soil.
Growth & form
- Height
- up to 6 ft (to 1.8 m)Typical mature height.
- Life cycle
- PerennialWhether it lives a single season (annual), two (biennial), or returns for years (perennial).
- Growth rate
- ModerateA relative ranking versus other plants of the same type (USDA), not an absolute rate.
- Shape
- ErectIts overall silhouette.
- Root depth
- 12+ in (30+ cm)How far the roots reach, a guide to drought resilience and transplanting.
Flowers, foliage & fruit
- Type
- ShrubWhat kind of plant it is.
- Bloom
- Mar–MayWhen it flowers.
- Flower color
- WhiteThe bloom color, or colors.
- Toxicity
- None knownWhether any part is poisonous to people or pets.
Propagation & seed
- Cold stratification
- Required (cold, moist)Whether seed needs a cold, moist spell before it will germinate.
- Propagation
- Bare root, container, cuttings, seedHow to start new plants.
- Seed
- ~0.0 million seeds per poundNotes on the seed and how to sow it.
- Seed spread rate
- SlowHow readily it self-sows. Slow or none means well-behaved, not a spreader.
- Seedling vigor
- MediumHow strongly young seedlings establish.