Fothergilla

Dwarf fothergilla 

Common name:  Fothergilla, dwarf fothergilla, American wych hazel, witch alder, coastal witch-alder, or dwarf witchalder

Scientific name:  Fothergilla gardenii

Family: Witch hazel, Hamamelidaceae

Bloom period:  April

Where to see it:  The end of the Village Green garden closer to Building 1.

What to look for:  Fragrant white flowers appear as dense, terminal bottlebrush-like spikes and bloom before the leaves appear.  In the fall, the foliage turns brilliant red, orange, and yellow. 

Benefit to pollinators:  The fragrant flowers are nectar rich and attract honey bees and butterflies. 

More information:  The showy, bottle brush flowers are all male flowers and without petals.  The female flowers, likewise without petals, aren’t showy and appear lower on the flower stalk.