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Common Name: dwarf fothergilla
Type: Deciduous shrub
Family: Hamamelidaceae
Zone: 5 to 8
Native Range: Southeastern United States
Garden Location: The Fragrance Garden, Lois Whiteside Franklin Flower Trial Garden, Mildred Lane Kemper Terrace Garden
Height: 1.5 to 3 feet
Spread: 2 to 4 feet
Bloom Time: April to May
Bloom Description: White
Sun: Full sun to part shade
Water: Medium
Maintenance: Low
Flowers: Showy Flowers, Fragrant Flowers
Leaves: Good Fall Color
Culture
Easily grown in average, medium, well-drained soil in full sun to part shade. Prefers moist, acidic, organically rich soils which have good drainage. Best flowers in full sun. May spread by root suckers to form colonies if suckers are not promptly removed.
Noteworthy Characteristics
This fothergilla species (sometimes commonly called dwarf fothergilla) is native to the southeastern U.S. It is a compact, slow-growing, deciduous shrub with a dense, mounded, upright-spreading habit which typically grows 2-3' (less frequently to 4') tall and as wide. Best ornamental features are its fragrant spring flowers, summer foliage and superior fall color. Features terminal, bottlebrush-like spikes (1-2" long) of tiny, fragrant, apetulous, ivory white flowers. Flower color comes from the showy stamens (white filaments and yellowish anthers). Flowers appear in spring, usually before the foliage emerges. Rounded to oblong, leathery, dark green leaves (to 2.5" long) turn varying shades of red, orange and yellow in fall.
Plant of Merit
Native to the southeastern U. S., this dense, compact, deciduous shrub thrives in moist, acidic, organically rich, well-drained soils. Best ornamental features are fragrant white flowers in bottlebrush-like clusters in spring, quality dark green foliage in summer and brilliant fall color in varying shades of orange, red and yellow. It typically grows 2-3 feet tall and as wide but will sucker over time to form colonies. Group or mass in shrub borders, foundation plantings or native plant areas.
Problems
No serious insect or disease problems.
Garden Uses
Group or mass in shrub borders, foundation plantings or native plantings. Hedges. Mixes easily with rhododendrons which generally share the same soil requirements.