Mount Airy Fothergilla

Light Needs

Partial Sun to Full Sun

(At Least 5 Hours of Direct Sunlight)

Mature Height

5-6 Feet

Mature Spread

3-4 Feet

Growing Zones

4 to 8

Fothergilla major 'Mount Airy', commonly known as Mount Airy Fothergilla, is a unique dwarf shrub with outstanding fall color. The showy white bottlebrush flowers emerge in spring and smell like honey. After flowering, attractive leathery, blue-green foliage follows. The leaves turn a mixture of red, orange, yellow and purple hues in the fall. This shrub is truly a sight to behold.

Mount Airy is an upright multi-stemmed shrub with a rounded habit. It stays small and compact, maxing out at 5 – 6 feet high.  This shrub is cold hardy to zone 4 and resistant to deer. It is easy to grow and versatile, adding interest and color to mixed shrub borders, foundation plantings, woodland gardens, and low flowering screens. 

Mount Airy Fothergilla Care

This shrub blooms best in full sun, with at least 6 hours of direct sunlight a day, but tolerates partial shade. It prefers moderately moist soil, rich in organic matter. The soil should also drain well and be on the acidic side. Topdress the roots with compost, making sure to pull away any mulch from the trunk. 

Mount Airy does not require much pruning. It blooms on old wood, so prune lightly after flowering. It spreads by suckers, which can be removed with pruners or dug up and transplanted to another location. 

Mount Airy Fothergilla Spacing

For planting a tight screen, space these shrubs approximately 3 feet apart, center on center. For accent planting, give these shrubs at least 4 feet around to reach their maximal spread.