How to Trim and Groom Fothergilla Gardenii

Fothergilla gardenii, commonly called dwarf fothergilla, is a dedicious shrub native to U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 5 through 8. The slow-growing shrub produces spiky white flowers on a 2- to 3-foot-tall frame in the early spring. In the fall, the white flowers fade, and the blue-green leaves turn shades from yellow to crimson. The dwarf fothergilla needs little to no maintenance pruning except to keep a natural-looking, compact framework.

Bypass pruners
Plastic bag
Mulch

Instructions

- 1
  Watch out for diseased, dead or broken branches on the dwarf fothergilla year-round. On average, diseased and dead branches are discolored, budless, fungal, or have discolored or dead leaves. Cut the diseased, dead or broken branch just above a side or parent branch, well into healthy wood, using bypass pruners. Dispose of removed plant material in a plastic bag.
- 2
  Look for root suckers arising around the dwarf fothergilla's base year-round. Root suckers are young, green shoots that spread to form colonies if not removed promptly. Cut the suckers as close to the ground as possible using bypass pruners.
- 3
  Stand back several feet from the dwarf fothergilla, looking for abnormally long branches. Select one-third of the shrub's longest branches to thin out to decrease the height. The best time to perform any needed pruning on the dwarf fothergilla is in the spring, soon after it has bloomed. Cut the selected branches just above a side or parent branch inside the shrub using bypass shears.
- 4
  Rake fallen leaves, flowers and twigs in the fall. Dispose of plant material in a plastic bag. Apply a new 3-inch layer of mulch 2 inches away from the base of the dwarf fothergilla.

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