Fothergilla
(named in honour of John Fothergill, 1712-1780, an eminent physician and patron of botany). ORD. Hamamelideoe. The only species of this genus is a pretty hardy deciduous shrub. It thrives best in a moist sandy peat; and may be increased by seeds, which should be sown in spring, in a peaty soil. The varieties may be propagated by layers. F. alnifolia (Alder-leaved).* fl. white, sweet-scented, sessile, spicate, terminal, ovate, appearing before the leaves. April, May. l. alternate, obovate, stipulate, clothed with soft, starry down. h. 3ft. to 6ft. North-eastern America, 1765. The following are varieties: F. a. acuta (acute). l. narrow, ovate, acute.
F. a. major (greater). l. ovate-oblong, somewhat cordate at the base. (B. M. 1342.) F. a. obtusa (blunt-leaved). l. obovate, crenate at the top, when young downy beneath. (B. M. 1341.) F. a. serotina (late-flowering). l. oblong, acute, crenately toothed at top.