The Dawes Arboretum

Common name: Harold Epstein dwarf fothergilla

Family: Hamamelidaceae (witch-hazel family)

Distribution: Species native to s.e. United States

Hardiness: USDA Zone 5

Life form: Deciduous shrub/Subshrub

Comments: This new selection of a wonderful native shrub is a tight, compact form with essentially ovate, medium to dark green leaves less than two inches long. Slow-growing and not very robust, but a neat, almost rock-garden form. Likely to mature less than two feet. In April honey scented, small, white bottlebrush flowers appear before the leaves. Fall color is orange-red. Use in the foundation, shrub border, groundcover or where early fragrant flowers can be enjoyed.