Legend of the Fall Fothergilla

Legend of the Fall Fothergilla (Fothergilla x intermedia 'Legend of the Fall')

Legend of the Fall Fothergilla is a deciduous shrub celebrated for honey-scented spring bottlebrush flowers and extraordinary multi-hued fall color; its dense, rounded habit and tidy branching make a four-season anchor for mixed borders and foundations.

Distinctive Features

Showy, fragrant white catkin-like blooms open before leaves in early spring; foliage shifts from blue-green to a vivid blend of yellow, orange, red, and burgundy in fall for one of the strongest autumn displays among fothergillas.

Growing Conditions

• Sun Exposure: Full sun to partial shade; best fall color and bloom in at least 4 to 6 hours of sun.
• Soil: Moist, well-drained, humus-rich soil; prefers acidic conditions and dislikes high pH.
• Water: Even moisture, especially during establishment; do not allow prolonged drought on hot sites.
• USDA Hardiness Zones: 5 to 9.
• Mature Size: Typically 6 to 8 ft tall and 5 to 6 ft wide.
• Bloom Time: Early to mid spring, often before leaf-out.
• Soil pH: Acidic, about 5.0 to 6.5.

Ideal Uses

• Focal Point: Fragrant spring bloom and intense fall foliage anchor entry beds.
• Foundation Shrub: Dense, rounded form provides refined structure.
• Mixed Border: Pairs well with spring bulbs, azaleas, and conifers for season-long contrast.
• Naturalized Edge: Native-hybrid character suits woodland margins and pollinator plantings.

Low Maintenance Care

• Watering: Keep soil evenly moist the first 2 seasons; provide deep soaks in extended dry spells.
• Pruning: Minimal; shape or thin immediately after flowering to preserve next years buds.
• Fertilizing: Light spring feeding with an acid-forming fertilizer if growth is weak.
• Mulching: 2 to 3 in of shredded bark to conserve moisture, moderate temperature, and improve soil.
• Notes: Generally deer-resistant and trouble-free; chlorosis may occur in alkaline soils, so amend to maintain acidity.

Why Choose Legend of the Fall Fothergilla?

• Top-Tier Fall Color: Exceptional red, orange, and burgundy tones on a single plant.
• Fragrant Spring Bloom: Honey-scented, pollinator-friendly catkins before leaf-out.
• Four-Season Structure: Clean outline and handsome bark hold interest year-round.
• Low Care: Minimal pruning and adaptable once established in acidic, well-drained soil.

Plant in full sun to partial shade with acidic, well-drained soil to maximize fragrance and spectacular autumn color.