Growing Fothergilla: Tips at a Glance
Fothergilla comes in a variety of sizes, from the tallest cultivars growing to 12 feet to compact varieties of the spring-flowering shrub; hybrids labeled Fothergilla x intermedia combine the best characteristics of both.
- Type Deciduous shrub
- Lifespan Perennial
- Growing Zone 4-9
- Sun Sun or part shade
- Soil Well-drained
- When to Plant Spring to fall
- Companions Daphne, hydrangea
- Design Tip First white flowers
- Peak Season Early spring
Fothergillas: A Field Guide
Fothergillas are deciduous shrubs valuable for both their springtime displays of white powderpuff flowers and in autumn for fiery red leaves.
From compact cultivars such as the low-growing F. gardenii ‘Harold Epstein’ to F. major (which at a height of up to 12 feet can be an alternative to a tree in a small garden), fothergilla thrives in well-drained, rich soil (add organic matter in autumn).
For more shrubs that bloom dramatically in spring on bare wood, see our guides to Forsythia, Witch Hazel, and Paperbush.