Fothergilla

Fothergilla major

• Position: full sun or partial shade
• Soil: humus-rich, leafy, moist but well-drained acid soil
• Rate of growth: slow-growing
• Flowering period: May and June
• Hardiness: fully hardy
  
  Fragrant. white, bottlebrush-like flowers appear in May and June just as the lustrous, dark green leaves start to unfurl. In autumn the foliage turns bonfire shades of red, orange and yellow. This low-maintenance, deciduous shrub looks wonderful at the edge of a woodland area, where it will catch some sun, or in the middle of a shrub border. It's happiest in acid soil, and although it will tolerate partial shade, both the spectacular autumn colour and flowers are superior in full sun.

• Garden care: In February or March remove any dead, diseased or crossing branches. After pruning apply a generous 5-7cm (2-3in) mulch of well-rotted leafmould or composted pine needles around the base of the plant.
  
  
• Goes well with: Hamamelis x intermedia 'Pallida', Amelanchier lamarckii, Lonicera x purpussi 'Winter Beauty', Pieris 'Forest Flame', Embothrium coccineum 'Lanceolatum Group', Eranthis hyemalis

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