Great Native Shrubs: Fothergilla 'Mt Airy and 'Blue Shadow'



I adore Fothergilla gardenii Mt Airy. (wonderful photo of fothergilla leaf from Quercus Design blog)

Fothergilla is native to the Appalachians, is deer resistant  and sports fragrant, honey scented, early spring flowers before the leaves come out.

The flowers are white, short bottlebrush spikes that light up a sunny to partial sun woodland corner. The flowers are followed by blue green, heavily textured foliage.


Photo from Robs Plants Website - http://www.robsplants.com/plants/FotheGarde



photo by Laura McKillop

'Mt Airy' is a dwarf form and got its name from the Mt. Airy Arboretum in Cincinnati, Ohio. When compared to the native species, Mt. Airy Fothergilla has more vibrant multicolored foliage in shades of yellow, orange and red in October through mid-November.

This fall color is the best! It is spell binding in the garden....


 Photo for Monrovia by Doris Wyjna


Photo by Plant Introductions, Inc

 I like to use 'Mt Airy' in combination with Fargesia, Manhattan Euonymus, hakonechloa, ferns and viburnums. I mass them in groups of 3 or more. They grow to 3 - 4 feet in height and tolerate moist soil...Zones 5-8.



 And now there is the fairly new cultivar ‘Blue Shadow’!  This exciting new introduction originated as a sport from Fothergilla major 'Mt. Airy' and is blessed with the same vigorous constitution and habit.. It has steely blue summer leaves with the same outstanding autumn display of rich yellow, red and orange. 

Blue Shadow is a medium-size deciduous shrub 5 to 6' high and wide and easily adapts to sun or partial shade. It is tolerant to a wide range of soil and environmental conditions, needs little pruning and has no major disease or insect problems.

A MUST FOR FALL GARDENS.

Comments

  1. lam5991November 17, 2011 at 8:40 PM

    I am intrigued by Fothergilla 'Blue Shadow'! I have always loved Fothergilla but didn't realize it was deer resistant! I have definitely added 'Blue Shadow' to my list for next spring. Thanks for another great garden tip!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Beverly SeatonNovember 30, 2011 at 1:36 AM

    Thanks--I will add this to my spring planting list--this year the fall color in my shrubs was so great I am looking for more. And deer resistance is a must!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Jan JohnsenDecember 3, 2011 at 11:37 AM

    It is a wonderful plant to add to any planting....looks great with hakonechloa (deer resistant).

    ReplyDelete

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