Legend of the Fall® Bottlebrush

Fothergilla has long been appreciated for its spectacular autumn color, but Legend of the Fall® fothergilla sets a new standard for the species with brilliant, glowing hues of orange, yellow, and red. Fragrant white flowers in spring are the ideal way to welcome the season, and provide sustenance to pollinators as they wake up or migrate back. A neat and tidy habit makes this plant easy to work into your landscape or garden; like other fothergilla, it may put out some suckers, but these can be easily controlled by pulling, cutting, or severing with a sharp spade. Plant in sun, shade, or anywhere in between, but fall color will be most vivid in spots that get at least some sun each day.

Additional information

Dimensions4 × 4 ft
Botanical Name

Fothergilla x intermedia 'ALICE' PP#32,049, CBRAF

Zone

5, 6, 7, 8, 9

Flower Color

White

Foliage Color

Green

Height

4-5'

Width/Spread

4-5'

Exposure

Full Sun, Part Sun

Soil

Average, Moist, Well-drained

Bloom Time

Spring

Uses

Borders, Foundations, Hedges, Mass Planting, Naturalizing, Rain Gardens, Specimen, Woodland gardens

Features

Deer resistant, Fall interest, Fragrant, Heat tolerant, Native

Breeder

Brian McGowan

Blooms On

Old wood

Plant Care

Light: Full to part sun. The hotter your climate, the more shade becomes imperative, especially during the hottest part of the day.

Soil: Any well-drained soil will do.

Water: Average water needs; avoid drought.

Fertilizing: One application of a granular (not liquid) rose fertilizer in early spring is sufficient.

Pruning: Fothergilla generally needs little pruning. If you do wish to prune, do so after flowering in spring. Fothergilla is known to sucker a bit, especially when it is planted in favorable conditions, but suckers can be pulled, cut with pruners, or cut with a sharp spade as needed.