"Fall’s Best-Kept Secret: Fothergilla Should Be in Your Fall Garden"

If you’re looking for a plant that adds color and interest from spring through late fall, fothergilla is one you’ve got to try! I’ve had it in my North Bend garden for about 20 years now, and I’ve added a few different varieties along the way. In spring, it has these cute little bottle-brush flowers that smell amazing. The leaves of ‘Blue Mist’ have this lovely blue-green tint that really stands out, and come fall, the whole shrub bursts into a show of reds, oranges, and yellows—sometimes all on one leaf! I love cutting a few branches for arrangements or popping them into my outdoor planters to keep the color going even longer.

There are a couple of different types to choose from depending on your space. Fothergilla gardenii (dwarf fothergilla) stays nice and compact at around 2-3 feet, which makes it perfect for small gardens, borders, or even containers. If you’ve got a little more room, Fothergilla major (large fothergilla) can grow up to 10 feet tall and wide, but don’t worry—we prune ours every few years to keep the size and shape in check. I’m also a big fan of the ‘Blue Mist’ variety with its bluish leaves that pair beautifully with other summer bloomers, making a stunning backdrop.

Growing fothergilla is easy. It loves full sun to partial shade and does best in acidic, well-drained soil. Once it’s in the ground, it doesn’t need much attention—just a little extra water while it’s young, and after that, it’s good to go. The best part? It holds onto its fall colors for weeks, so you’ll have beautiful foliage well after most other plants have called it quits. If you’re thinking about adding some extra fall color, you really can’t go wrong with fothergilla!