Dwarf Fothergilla
Bloom end / petal fallFothergilla gardenii
Hamamelidaceae · broadleaf deciduous shrub · introduced
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).
Plant Profile
Size & Form
Site Requirements
Ornamental Interest
Field Observations
Diseases: Regionally Documented (1)
Phenological Calendar
As of June 4, 2026, Puget Sound stations range from 2458.5 to 2700.8 GDD₃₂. Dwarf Fothergilla has passed bloom end / petal fall (2268 GDD₃₂).
Regional Season Tracker
GDD₃₂ accumulation across 7 Puget Sound stations · as of Jun 4, 2026| Station | GDD₃₂ | Current Stage | Next | To Go |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Issaquah / East King | 2,701 | Bloom end / petal fall | — | — |
| Kent / Auburn | 2,695 | Bloom end / petal fall | — | — |
| Seattle / UW | 2,637 | Bloom end / petal fall | — | — |
| Olympia / Tumwater | 2,598 | Bloom end / petal fall | — | — |
| Tacoma / Puyallup | 2,564 | Bloom end / petal fall | — | — |
| Bellingham / Whatcom | 2,560 | Bloom end / petal fall | — | — |
| Sequim / Rain Shadow | 2,459 | Bloom end / petal fall | — | — |
View full calendar (9 stages)
| Stage | GDD32 | Typical Window |
|---|---|---|
| Bloom start BBCH 61 | 1193 | Mar 15-May 15 |
| Full bloom BBCH 65 | 1463 | — |
| Bud break BBCH 07 | — | Feb 15-Mar 15 |
| ● Bloom end / petal fall BBCH 69 NOW | 2268 Observed | 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 |
Sources: USDA Plants Database (seasonal estimate) ; OSU phenology catalog (OSU: weather.cfaes.osu.edu) ; Field observation, Issaquah, WA, 2026-05-21 About GDD₃₂ →
Season tracker for Kent / Auburn as of Jun 4, 2026. Predicted dates use 16-day weather forecast through Jun 20, 2026, then climate normals.