HAMAMELIS

Hamamelis (“Witch Hazel”), is a deciduous shrub originating from China. Its fiery red, orange and yellow flowers can brighten up the coldest, greyest winter months. These citrus-scented, spidery flowers appear like flames as they sit along the bare architectural structure of Hamamelis at the coldest time of year, from December to February-March.

Once established, Hamamelis are happy in open position, but by choice they prefer to occupy similar conditions to the European hazel. They like a glade or the edge of woodland with cool air and summer moisture to their feet. They are known to prefer acid to neutral soil however I have seen them performing in alkaline soil in my client’s garden if they are planted in well prepared soil with moisture-retention compost. My favorite trick is to plant them as isolated specimens at the front garden so that their warm, welcoming scent delights any guests in cold damp winter.

In terms of the best cultivars, I grow Hamamelis ‘Pallida’ for its pale yellow flowers. Hamamelis Mollis or Hamamelis x intermedia ‘Feuerzauber’, Hamamelis x intermedia ‘Orange Beauty’ are all easy to grow and carry strongly perfumed flowers – I can’t bear scentless Hamamelis!