THE flowers of winter and earliest spring always cause flurries of excitement When all is bare, drab and grey, we seize on any point of interest the winter aconites, the first snowdrops and earliest crocuses. Flowers and colour at ground level we can manage easily enough but late winter attractions at eye level, or higher, require more planning and patience than the planting of bulbs which gives ample returns quickly.
The most desirable large shrub or small tree to catch the eye right now is surely the witch hazel. Few of us will manage to find or to afford a large specimen for instant effect, so we must be prepared to invest in the future and to wait. Even when quite small, the witch hazel will please with its flowers on thin naked stems and its owner can enjoy its slowly increasing yearly size until it reaches above eye level. Then the thrill and magic of its flowers will be reason enough to arrange a party and to celebrate its beauty.
Witch hazels are very special in obliging with small flowers which, even on dull days, will flash like stars and, as a bonus, they spread a rich fragrance.
In older gardens, you encounter the Chinese witch hazel Hamamelis mollis, there is also one from Japan which, as you might expect, is called Hamamelis japonica. It is universally agreed that these two are much surpassed by hybrids between them. These go under the name Hamamelis x intermedia and if I had to choose one from the many named forms available, it would without reservation be Hamanielis x interpiedia "Pallida"
The colour is a pale yellow and in this instance it glows. The flowers consist of coding petals held in close clusters along the twigs. Margery Fish thought the petals rather like strips of carrot coming from a grater", creating a soft, shaggy look. There are lots of other yellows around, "Prima vera", "Moonlight". Arnold Promise". "Winter Beauty" and "Vezna" are just some of the ones I have seen admired. For those who like a strange tone, more orange than yellow there is Jelena".
HERE I draw the line the whole point of these witch hazels is that they call attention and form a focus, perhaps set against a dark background and eventually with a little time and luck silhouetted against the sky. The yellow flowers do just that and I mention it because there are numerous deep orange and red flowered forms such as "Orange Beauty", Diane", "Carmine Red" and "Ruby Glow". Close up they are pleasing curiosities but they will not have the required telling effect in the garden, their colouring being too dark.
Collectors may want to try several different forms and, where there is lots of space, that will be fine. The flowering season is generally January through to March. In cold weather the flowers will last longer and of course different forms may have slightly different seasons. "Advent" is said to often start around Christmas whereas I have seen "Arnold Promise" flower in March.
For theirs ready interest and charm there may be a temptation to plant several even in a small garden. The problem is the rather dull leaden appearance of the shrub or small tree when flowering is over and the foliage has opened. There is no beauty in the greenery or in its shape once early spring has passed. In fact the thing looks downright boring, especially if planted in a prominent place and the tendency is often to give it a prime position for the better enjoyment of flowers and scent. That is why I long for my shrub to become a small tree, then the foliage will be put out of sight, or at least out of most immediate sight, while I peruse lower plants during summer.
As regards soil, many authorities say these plants need an acid or a neutral soil. Not so, for I know of many happy witch hazels in limey conditions. They would not be happy in light, very dry places. The general opinion is that they would like a little shade. That does not mean stuck under an enormous tree, but in light dappled shade for part of the day. They are not difficult, they just need a little care and consideration and the rewards will increase yearly.