Fothergilla 'Mount Airy'

'Mount Airy' fothergilla is a showy deciduous dwarf shrub cultivar in the Hamamelidaceae family.  It is thought to be a cross between the native  F. gardenii and F. latifolia.  The genus name comes from the English botanist and physician Dr. John Fothergill (1712-1780) and the cultivar name 'Mount Airy' is the namesake of Mt. Airy Arboretum in Cincinnati, Ohio where the cultivar was discovered by Michael Dirr.

Plant in acidic soils with high organic matter that are consistently moist but with good drainage. The best flowering occurs in full sun but it tolerates part shade conditions. With beautiful leathery green foliage, interesting bottle-brush flowers in the spring, and great red, yellow, or purple fall color this compact shrub brings long lasting seasonal interest to the landscape. Growing slowly 3 to 6 feet tall and about as wide, this multi-stemmed shrub has a rounded compact habit.

'Mount Airy' fothergilla spreads by suckers, which can be removed if this is not desirable. The fragrant flowers appear before blue-green leaves in spring and last 10-14 days. Leaves are bright yellow to orange to red to purple in fall, colors often combined on the same leaf. 

This plant is resistant to browsing by deer. Use as a specimen in a cottage garden, in shaded shrub borders, as a low hedge, or in a sensory garden to take advantage of the sweet smelling flowers.  This easy to grow shrub works well in mass plantings, along foundations, and can be planted with other acid-loving plants like rhododendrons and blueberries.  

Quick ID Hints:

• Bottle brush-shaped honey scented white flowers.
• Yellow-orange-red fall color.
• Rounded teeth on the leaf margin toward the apex.

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:  No serious problems.