Witch Hazel

Witch Hazel or Hamamelis are aristocrats of the plant world! They are hardy, easily grown and not so fast growing that they over run the place in no time at all!

And yet they still remain, in our view, under planted. Perhaps this is because they are in flower in Jnauray and February, when only the keenest visit a garden centre, and then perhaps only the coffee shop! Maybe it is also because they tend to be rather more expensive to buy than the run of the mill shrubs but this is because they are actually quite difficult to propagate and it is only fair that the propagator, who has those skills, should be rewarded is it not?

When established each branch is covered in spidery looking flowers that release deliciously sweet scent that wafts throughout the garden. The most commonly planted is the gold bloomed Hamamelis mollis but there are splendid red, orange and lemon flowered varieties too.

Although, if left untouched, they will eventually grow to a sizeable bush of over head height and as wide too, they can be kept much smaller provided that they are pruned regularly immediately after the flowers finish when spring arrives.

Witch hazels are often found in gardens that have acid soil but, in our experience they will grow remarkably well on most soils if the roots are regularly mulched with compost.

 

 

Red flowered: Ruby Glow or Diane are the most frequently seen varieties but since the flowers are dark, position in the garden with care so that the flowers can be seen against a light background.

 

Orange flowered: Jelena is THE outstanding variety in this colour and is not only seeetly scented but also produces breathtaking autumn leaf colour!