Fothergilla gardenii 'Jane Platt'
Jane Platt Dwarf Fothergilla

Fothergilla gardenii ′Jane Platt′ - Overall Fall Shrub

Family:

Hamamelidaceae (Witch-hazel Family) 11

Genus:

Fothergilla (Fothergilla Witch Alder Alder, Witch) 5

Plant Type:

Shrub 468

Growth Forms:

Bushy 187

Hardiness:

USDA Zone 4 517

Deciduous / Evergreen:

Deciduous 839

Flower Notes:

White (Fragrant, interesting, white cylindrical spikes in the spring)

Foliage Notes:

Green (Handsome blue-green seashell-shaped summer foliage); Multi-Colored (Attractive fall foliage in a combination of reds, oranges, and yellows)

Fruit Notes:

Brown (Two-valved, dehiscent capsules; not ornamentally important)

Ultimate Height:

3 feet

Ultimate Spread:

3 feet

Light Requirements:

Soil Notes:

Prefers acidic, slightly moist soil, but tolerant of many soils except quite alkaline

Diagnostic Characteristics:

Alternate, simple, bluish-green, scallop-shaped 1-2.5" long leaves are tomentose below. Leaves of 'Jane Platt' are not as wide and are more elliptical than that of the straight species. Stems form a kind of zig-zag pattern.

Special Characteristics:

Additional Information

A very useful and adaptable small shrub that has unique, fragrant, bottle-brush flowers and spectacular fall foliage. Compared to the species type, 'Jane Platt' has slightly larger flower spikes and more cascading branches, but reportedly the fall color is not quite as brilliant. Chlorosis develops in high pH soil.