As the Knoxville and surrounding East Tennessee communities continues to stay home more to prevent the spread of COVID-19, we’re getting great questions from home-bound homeowners about which plants are best for a Knoxville landscaping. Here’s one choice I love for a fantastic focal point in your landscaping:

Plant Name:

Mt. Airy Fothergilla (Fothergilla major ‘Mt. Airy’)

What It Looks Like:

Mt. Airy Fothergilla is a medium-sized deciduous shrub that’s blooming now in April and May. Its blooms look like delicate pom-poms or short bottle brushes. Although it’s an impressive spring plant, it also shows off spectacular fall foliage of bright yellow, orange, red and burgundy before dropping its leaves for the winter.

Where to Use It:

Mt. Airy Fothergilla is best used as a specimen plant, meaning that it should be the focal point. Another option would be to plant it in a cluster of three to draw attention in the spring and fall when it’s either blooming or turning its fall color.

What It Needs:

This cultivar is likely a cross between two plants native to the southeastern U.S. — F. major and F. gardenia — so it is acclimated to the East Tennessee climate. Because of that, it doesn’t require extensive care but should be planted in areas where it will receive afternoon shade.

What to Pair It With:

Mt. Airy Fothergilla pairs well with plants that have dark evergreen foliage. Consider planting it near Vintage Jade Distylium, Encore Azalea or PJM Rhododendron, which has similar soil requirements. Another popular cultivar of Fothergilla is Blue Mist, which is very similar but it stays smaller at only 2-3’ tall and wide

Contact Us:

If you’re ready to beautify your outdoor space for summer, we’ll help you start with a landscape design. Fill out our contact form or call 865-765-5550 to schedule a consultation. As an essential business, we’re still working, but taking precautions to ensure our staff and clients are safe.