Fothergilla x intermedia 'Mount Airy'

An upgrade on an already fantastic North American native shrub, Fothergilla x intermedia ‘Mount Airy’ features exceptional vigor, heavy bloom, and excellent fall color. A selection by plantsman Michael Dirr, this substantially sized, three-season favorite has all the hallmarks of a great Fothergilla—white, fragrant, bottlebrush-shaped flowers in mid spring, rounded leaves in shades of green to blue-green in summer, and spectacular autumn foliage to include scarlet, fiery orange, and golden hues. A recipient of the Royal Horticultural Society’s Award of Garden Merit.

Fothergilla, a genus in the Witch Hazel family, offers some outstanding deciduous shrubs that are not as widely known or planted as they deserve to be. There are only two species, F. major and F. gardenii, both commonly found in southeastern North America. They thrive in moist, acid, organic soil, and bloom profusely in full sun. Their rounded, dense shape is mirrored by rounded, deep green—sometimes blue-green—foliage that in fall turns yellow, orange, and red, often all on the same plant.

For more information on growing and care, click Growing Guide.

We want our customers to receive strong, healthy plants that are ready to thrive in their gardens and homes. Here's what we'd like you to know about our shipping practices.

Delivery Timing

We aim to deliver your plants at as close to the proper time for planting in your area as possible. To do so, we consider the USDA Hardiness Zone to which we're shipping, current and forecasted weather at the destination and along the shipping route, and whether your plants are ready for transplant.

In spring, we ship first to the warmest regions and move north as planting conditions improve. For fall deliveries, we begin with the coolest regions and work south. We frequently adjust shipping schedules when extreme weather could put plants at risk while in transit or soon after arrival.

Because different plants reach readiness at different rates and are weather-sensitive in varying degree, a single order may be delivered via multiple shipments. Plants sold as part of a collection, or that are otherwise meant to arrive together, will be shipped together. Please contact our customer service team with two weeks' advance notice if you anticipate being away at the expected time of delivery. 

Tracking information for each package is delivered via email. 

Plant & Container Sizes

We deliver plants in various sizes and stages of growth, and the product detail pages of our website indicate the form and/or pot size in which the plant will be delivered. Pot sizes range from 1 pint to 1 gallon and larger. Many perennials, roses, shrubs and vines are delivered bareroot - that is, not in a container at all. Bulbs and tubers are generally delivered bareroot and fully dormant. We choose container sizes and delivery methods based on how each plant grows best, how we can minimize transplant shock, and how to minimize unnecessary bulk/weight in shipment. 

Caring for Your Plants Upon Arrival

It is important to acclimate greenhouse-grown plants to life outdoors. All plant shipments include simple instructions for handling your plants upon arrival. Further how-to information, including planting instructions, is available on each plant's product page.

Latin Name Pronunciation: fah-ther-gill'-ah

White bottle brush flowers in May with a sweet honey fragrance. Rich blue-green foliage turns brilliant orange-yellow in fall. Rounded, dense shape; more upright habit of growth than some other Fothergillas. Good in foundation plantings and mixed shrub borders.

CULTURE: Full sun/part shade; moist, well-drained acid soil rich in organic matter. Space 5ft apart. Fertilize lightly in early spring with a balanced fertilizer. Seldom any problems with diseases or pests. It does tend to sucker somewhat freely. Needs minimal pruning in late winter or early spring; just remove broken or weak shoots, and any crossing branches to maintain an open framework.

At White Flower Farm, we stand firmly behind every product we sell and are proud to offer a money-back guarantee on each and every item offered on our website and at our store in Connecticut. Some modest terms and conditions apply, click here for details.

Should you have any questions about how our guarantee applies to a particular product or circumstance, our customer service team will be happy to help – please contact us at (800) 411-6159 or [email protected].