About

A compact, rounded deciduous shrub to 1.5m tall, prized for its perfumed, white, bottlebrush-like flowers, which are produced in spring, and its brilliant red autumn colour.

About the genus

Fothergilla are rounded deciduous shrubs with broadly ovate leaves often colouring well in autumn, and small, catkin-like spikes of white flowers in spring

Growing conditions

SunlightFull sun, Partial shade
Soil typeClay, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained
AspectEast-facing, South-facing, West-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH5

Plant details

Plant typeShrubs
HabitBushy
FoliageDeciduous
Height1-1.5 metres
Spread1-1.5 metres
Time to full height5-10 years
Suggested usesArchitectural
FragranceFlower

Care notes

CultivationGrow in moist but well-drained, humus-rich, acid soil in full sun or partial shade (full sun encourages more flowers and richer autumn colour)
PruningPruning group 1
PropagationPropagate by seed or softwood cuttings
Pest resistanceGenerally pest-free
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to honey fungus in gardens where it is present but insufficient data to determine degree of susceptibility