Dwarf Fothergilla
Fothergilla gardenii
Hamamelidaceae · broadleaf deciduous shrub · native
Last updated
Dwarf fothergilla (Fothergilla gardenii, Hamamelidaceae) is a deciduous shrub native to the coastal plains from North Carolina to Alabama and the Florida panhandle, reaching 2 to 3 feet tall (occasionally 6 feet). Bottlebrush-like fragrant white flowers (2.5 to 5 centimeters) with showy yellow anthers appear before foliage in April to May. Blue-green to dark green obovate leaves (2.5 to 6.5 centimeters) turn yellow, orange, and scarlet in fall.
Dwarf fothergilla grows in sun to part shade on moist, acidic, well-drained soils (pH 5.0 to 6.0) with high water needs, hardy in Zones 6a to 8b. It also tolerates wet soils, sand, compaction, and drought once established. It is fire resistant with resprout ability. Maintenance is low. Documented diseases include leaf spot. Cultivars include 'Jane Platt' (2 feet, brilliant orange-red-yellow fall color) and 'Blue Mist' (blue-green summer foliage).
Quick Facts
Phenological Calendar
As of April 21, 2026, Puget Sound stations range from 1393.7 to 1554.7 GDD₃₂. Dwarf Fothergilla has passed full bloom (1463 GDD₃₂).
Regional Season Tracker
GDD₃₂ accumulation across 7 Puget Sound stations · as of Apr 21, 2026| Station | GDD₃₂ | Current Stage | Next | To Go |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Issaquah / East King | 1,555 | Full bloom | — | — |
| Seattle / UW | 1,516 | Full bloom | — | — |
| Kent / Auburn | 1,497 | Full bloom | — | — |
| Olympia / Tumwater | 1,467 | Full bloom | — | — |
| Bellingham / Whatcom | 1,440 | Bloom start | Full bloom | 23 |
| Tacoma / Puyallup | 1,434 | Bloom start | Full bloom | 29 |
| Sequim / Rain Shadow | 1,394 | Bloom start | Full bloom | 69 |
| Stage | GDD32 | Typical Window |
|---|---|---|
| Bloom start BBCH 61 | 1193 | Mar 15-May 15 |
| ● Full bloom BBCH 65 NOW | 1463 | — |
| Bud break BBCH 07 | — | Feb 15-Mar 15 |
| Bloom end / petal fall BBCH 69 | — | Apr 15-May 31 |
| Leaf emergence BBCH 11 | — | Mar 1-Apr 1 |
| Fruit/seed development BBCH 71 | — | Jun 1-Aug 31 |
| Fruit/seed maturity BBCH 85 | — | Sep 1-Nov 30 |
| Leaf drop BBCH 93 | — | Oct 15-Nov 30 |
| Dormancy BBCH 97 | — | Nov 15-Feb 28 |
GDD = Growing Degree Days (base 32°F, Jan 1 start). Why base 32? Source GDD₅₀ thresholds from Herms 2004 (OSU, Secrest Arboretum, Ohio) and UMD IPMnet (Gill & Klick, mid-Atlantic), converted to GDD₃₂ via Kent bloom-date mapping. Season tracker for Kent / Auburn as of Apr 21, 2026. Predicted dates use 16-day weather forecast through May 7, 2026, then climate normals.