Fothergilla

Quite spectacular, Fothergilla are rounded deciduous shrubs with four seasons of interest. In spring, white bottle-brush blooms appear with their delightful, honey-like fragrance and last for a few weeks before being replaced by beautiful, green to blue-green foliage. These US natives feature broadly ovate leaves that often warm up to golden-yellows, bright oranges or intense reds, or combinations of all in the fall. Once the fall foliage is gone, the zig-zag branch habit of these upright, small shrubs adds to winter interest. There are only two species of Fothergilla in the Eastern US, Fothergilla major (Large Fothergilla) and Fothergilla gardenii (Dwarf Fothergilla). Both are superb.