EARLY WARM COLOUR
WITH WITCH HAZEL

If your wish list for winter includes a garden plant bringing colour, style and something inspirational then read on. The Witch hazel (Hamamelis) could be just what you are looking for. The early warm colours of its spidery winter blooms on bare branches produce a striking effect - whether by providing contrast to a crisp frosty morning or the perfect antidote to a dull grey day. And there's the fabulous fragrance, which many species and varieties offer, to enjoy too.

The flowers of the Witch hazel are distinctive with their four narrow strap-like petals. Witch hazels are best known for their yellow or orange flowers - coming in a wonderful range of different shades. Hamamelis X intermedia 'Pallida' is one of the most popular varieties with large, sweetly fragrant, sulphur-yellow flowers borne in dense clusters. 'Jelena' is another favourite with its coppery orange flowers blooming in early to mid-winter. If you are looking for something a little different consider one of the red flowering varieties. Hamamelis X intermedia 'Diane' is a superb example. It bears stunning dark red flowers in mid to late winter. 'Diane' has an open, spreading growth habit, reaching an approximate height and spread of 4 metres. The broad oval leaves are mid green in colour turning yellow and red in autumn. Like all Witch hazels, the flowers are frost resistant and the plant is fully hardy.

Hamamelis are not difficult plants to grow but they do like well-drained, peaty, acid soil. To see them to best advantage they should be planted in a full-sun or semi-shaded position. Whilst they are happy being planted in the open, it is best not to have them in an exposed windy location. No pruning as such is necessary apart from keeping the plants in shape and removing dead or damaged wood.

This deciduous shrub has enough presence to work very well as a specimen plant, for example as a centre-piece in a lawn. High visual impact can also be created by planting a group of two or three Hamamelis together in a shrub border. Witch hazel offers even more than knock-out winter interest; throughout the year its woody stems will help provide structure in the garden and many Witch hazels have the added bonus of gorgeous autumn leaf colour.

Brightly coloured flowers emerging from a snow fall or following a frosty night are a special sight at this time of year. But whatever the winter weather, Witch hazel can be a real asset in your garden.

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