Fothergilla major 'Sea Spray'

A shrub with mountain roots and a sea-breeze name

Born of the Southern Appalachian highlands, Fothergilla major ‘Sea Spray’ carries the same woodland heritage as its species but in a smaller, oval-rounded frame. The name suggests waves and foam, yet this is a mountain native—thriving in cool slopes and open woods from North Carolina to Alabama. In spring, it’s topped with white, honey-scented, petal-less bottlebrush flowers, a beacon for early pollinators.

While ‘Sea Spray’ is rarely seen in cultivation, horticulturist Michael Dirr recorded in his Manual of Woody Landscape Plants that the only plant he had observed—at Bernheim Arboretum in 1997—had blue-green leaves on a rather compact, oval-rounded framework. He also noted that its fall color was limited at that time, with foliage turning a dark red-brown instead of the fiery mix common to other Fothergilla major selections.

Botanical backstory

The genus honors Dr. John Fothergill (1712–1780), a British physician and botanical patron who championed American flora in Europe. The species name, major, marks it as the larger of the two native witch-alders—its smaller cousin, F. gardenii, famously introduced to England by Charleston’s Alexander Garden.

Why Woodlanders gardeners love ‘Sea Spray’

• Compact & tidy habit — ideal for smaller gardens or mixed shrub borders.

• Fragrant spring bloom — arrives before leaves for maximum show.

• Native resilience — naturally adapted to Southeastern climates.

• Wildlife: Important nectar source for early pollinators.

Woodlanders Tip: Use ‘Sea Spray’ where you want Fothergilla’s spring charm and native pedigree in a smaller footprint. Best planted in acidic soil and paired with woodland companions like oakleaf hydrangea or native azaleas.