Fothergilla - a Favorite Shrub
Fothergilla Leaf from quercus design blog |
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 mass them in groups of 3 or more. They grow to 3 - 4 feet in height and tolerate moist soil...Zones 5-8.
photo from Sooner Plant Farm - http://www.soonerplantfarm.com/index.cfm/fuseaction/plants.plantDetail/plant_id/452/index.htm
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.
I love the fall color of the Mt. Airy - very beautiful. Thanks for sharing these wonderful pictures.
ReplyDeleteI am so happy to share!...the only one from one of my projects though is by Laura McKillop....
DeleteThanks for posting about this plant. I'm going to remember it- I love the blue-green color of that last cultivar. Will seriously consider it next time I'm landscaping a yard.
ReplyDeleteIsn't it great? Should be better known, especially the new varieties.
DeleteLove the autumn color, and the early blooms with fragrance are awesome too.
ReplyDeleteagreed - more fothergilla for more color.
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