Northwest Blooms · Shrubs
Fothergilla x intermedia 'Mount Airy'
Mount Airy Fothergilla
- Family
- Hamamelidaceae
- Height
- 6 to 10 feet
- Width
- 5 to 8 feet
- Flower color
- Fragrant white bottlebrush like flowers composed of numerous showy stamens
- Foliage color
- Blue green to dark green oval leaves often turning vivid shades in fall
- Bloom time
- Mid spring often, April to May
- Light
- Full sun to partial shade
- Water
- Average well drained acidic soil
- Maintenance
- Low; prune lightly after flowering to maintain shape and remove older stems if needed
- Growing zone
- USDA zones 5 to 8
- Wildlife
- Bees, butterflies and other pollinating insects
About this plant
Fothergilla x intermedia 'Mount Airy' produces fragrant white bottlebrush flowers in early to mid spring, each bloom composed of soft filaments that create airy clusters along the branches. The blossoms appear just before or as the foliage emerges. Rounded blue-green leaves unfold soon after, forming a full canopy that develops rich shades of orange, red, and yellow in autumn.
This hybrid selection traces its heritage to crosses between Fothergilla gardenii and Fothergilla major, both native to the southeastern United States. In gardens it provides seasonal interest in borders, woodland plantings, and naturalistic landscapes where the spring flowers and vibrant autumn foliage add changing color.
Works well in
Sun Gardens · Woodland Gardens · Native Gardens · Pollinator Gardens
Companion plants
Holly · Daisy bush · Tulips · Pineapple lily · Salvias · Rose campion
Design tip
‘Mount Airy’ has enough size to serve as a substantial background shrub while still offering finely detailed seasonal interest. Position it where the autumn foliage can be viewed against evergreens, which provide a dark backdrop for its unusually broad mixture of yellow, orange, and purple tones.
Where to see it
This plant can be seen at Heronswood Garden.
