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Fothergilla major
Even the smallest of gardens can have a brilliant autumn show of leaf colouring with this small and neat growing shrub.I had quite forgotten about Fothergilla until I spied it in a friends garden recently. Even though this youngster was still under a metre in girth and height the sheer glow and luminosity of its rounded golden, red and orange autumn leaves rivalled its towering neighbours of Japanese Maples and Liquidambers.
Fothergilla major comes from The Allegheny Mountains of Virginnia in USA. Although it was introduced to Britain sometime in the 1700’s it wasn’t until a reintroduction to Kew gardens in 1902 that the popularity of this deciduous shrub really took off.It is a slow grower with a multitude of stems arising from the base of the plant. Eventually it will reach 2ms and forms a pyramidal shape. Small white are borne in profusion on bare branches in early spring.They are really just a collection of stamens and exude a delicious honey like fragrance which attracts bees.
Grow Fothergilla where Camellias, Rhododendrons and Azaleas grow. They like the same moisture retentive soil with no lime.Choose a sunny position where the late sun can shine through the glorious autumn coloured leaves.
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