Fothergilla gardenii 'Blue Shadow'

Fothergilla 'Blue Shadow' has proven to be a showstopper. This alluring plant cries out for attention with its beautiful spring flower display, gray-blue summer foliage and exceptional, rich-red leaves in fall.

Of all its favorable attributes, the striking blue hue is what really sets this Fothergilla apart. It's a winner in landscapes and provides a sharp color contrast to companion plants, particularly those with golden foliage.

"The foliage is so blue, under the right conditions it looks like a faded pair of Levi's," said Gary Handy, owner of Handy Nursery in Boring, Ore.

Propagation and growth

Handy discovered 'Blue Shadow' as a branch sport of Fothergilla ' Mount Airy.' It has the same vigorous growth rate and ease of propagation. About two-thirds of Handy's crop is grown from rooted cuttings. Tissue-culture liners are another good option.

Handy said there have been some questions raised about whether 'Blue Shadow' maintains its characteristics when propagated by tissue culture. However, after speaking with a number of major growers who have received large quantities of tissue-culture liners and evaluating his own crops from both types of propagation, he doesn't see this as an issue.

He has scrutinized a 6-year-old parent plant and subsequent progeny and concluded that 'Blue Shadow' will display its characteristic blue hues as foliage matures.

"Under greenhouse conditions growers will typically have a salable 1-gallon product in two years from a tissue liner or softwood cutting," Handy said. "Three years is more desirable for a good 3- or 5-gallon plant."

A landscape gem

'Blue Shadow' forms a dense network of angular stems. It's an upright grower that broadens with age, eventually becoming 5-6 feet high and wide. 'Blue Shadow' is tolerant of both full sun and partial shade. A semi-shade location will result in a more open habit.

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Like other Fothergilla, 'Blue Shadow' is native to the Southeast, but it seems to adapt well throughout most of the United States, thriving in USDA Hardiness Zones 4-8. It has no known disease or insect susceptibilities and thrives in somewhat acidic soil with good moisture and adequate drainage.

In April to early May, 'Blue Shadow' will dazzle bystanders with honey-scented, bottlebrush flowers. Outstanding blue leaves soon follow. In mid-October to late November, fall colors appear. Rich red dominates and is often accompanied by shades of orange and dark yellow.

Handy recommends using 'Blue Shadow' as a foundation plant, in groupings in perennial beds or as a featured understory shrub along woodland borders.

Nurseries interested in growing rights can contact Handy Nursery. Liners are available through North American Plants.

- Sarah Martinez

Specifics

Name: Fothergilla gardenia 'Blue Shadow'

Description: This vigorous, blue-leafed, honey-scented bottlebrush flowers in spring and has red fall foliage. It reaches 5-6 feet high and wide and is easily maintained, requiring little pruning.

Propagation: By cuttings or tissue culture.

Hardiness: USDA Hardiness Zones 4-8.

Uses: Foundation plant, groupings within a perennial bed or as a featured understory shrub along the woodland border.

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For more: Handy Nursery, 10702 S.E. McCreary Lane, Boring, OR 97009; (503) 663-2288; www.handynursery.com. North American Plants, P.O. Box 743, Lafayette, OR 97127; (877) 627-4636; www.naplants.com.