The neighbors, who are plant people extraordinare, gifted me with Fothergilla ‘Blue Shadow’ the other day.

THE GREEN MAN blog says: Of all its favorable attributes, the striking blue hue is what really sets this Fothergilla

Gary Handy, owner of Handy Nursery in Boring, Oregon, discovered ‘Blue Shadow’ as a sport of Fothergilla ‘Mount Airy.’ It features the same vigorous growth rate. ‘Blue Shadow’ forms a dense network of angular stems. It’s an upright grower that broadens with age, eventually becoming 5′-6′ high and wide. ‘Blue Shadow’ tolerates of both full sun and partial shade. A semi-shade location results in the shrub’s taking on a more open habit.
Like other Fothergilla, ‘Blue Shadow’ is native to the South, but it adapts well throughout most of the United States, thriving in USDA Hardiness Zones 4-8. It has no known disease or insect susceptibilities and prefers somewhat acidic soil that has good moisture-retention and adequate drainage.
In April to early May, ‘Blue Shadow’ dazzles the viewer with honey-scented bottlebrush flowers. Outstandingly-handsome scalloped blue leaves soon follow. In mid-October to late November, autumn colors appear.in Rich reds accompanied by shades of orange and dark yellow. cultivar apart. It’s a winner that provides keen color contrast to companion plants, particularly those with golden foliage.

Fortunately, I have acres of swamp adjacent to the garden and a lovely moist acidic spot for this plant next to the button bush, Cephalanthus occidentalis. Another plant that enjoys wet, but draining soil is the dwarf astilbe. Plant some swamp today!