Flowers:
White (Fragrant, interesting, 1-2" long, white cylindrical spikes in the spring)
Foliage:
Green (Attractive blue-green seashell-shaped summer foliage); Multi-Colored (Stunning fall foliage in a combination of reds, oranges, and yellows)
Fruit:
Brown (Two-valved, dehiscent capsules; not ornamentally important)
Soil:
Prefers loamy, acidic, moist soils; tolerates many soil types but not alkaline soils
Diagnostic Characteristics:
Alternate, simple, bluish-green, scallop-shaped 2-4" long and 1.5-2.75" wide leaves are tomentose below. Stems form a kind of zig-zag pattern. F. gardenii - smaller plant (2-3' tall) with smaller teeth and less showy flowers that appear earlier than F. major.
