Hamamelis, witch hazel

Hamamelis, commonly known as witch hazel, produces delicate blooms with intoxicating scent in the depths of winter. Ribbon petals are tucked in knobbly clusters of plump buds along naked branches, in a range of citrus shades.

Varieties

Hamamelis mollis : A widely popular type of witch hazel with a strong, spicy fragrance, it was brought from China at the turn of the 20th century. The plant's golden yellow flowers are somewhat smaller than some newer hybrids. And it's often the first to open, starting its display in late December or January.
H. mollis 'Advent': As the name suggests, the yellow flowers of 'Advent' usually appear before Christmas.

H. mollis has been used to breed a new race of hybrids under the collective name H . x intermedia , which includes many good varieties.

H . x intermedia 'Pallida': Perhaps the best known variety, this hamamelis produces large, sulphur-yellow blooms with a delicate, sweet scent. They seem to glow in winter light.
H . x intermedia 'Diane' : This variety's sumptuous and intense red blooms are smaller than with 'Pallida', yet still manage to stand out brightly against bare branches. The autumn colour witch hazels provide is often overlooked. 'Diane' can match any Japanese maple when its large, hazel-like leaves become a cloak of orange and purple.
H . x intermedia 'Arnold Promise' : A later variety with sumptuous, deep yellow blooms, 'Arnold Promise' usually peaks in late February, or even early March.
H . x intermedia 'Jelena': This coppery orange variety and 'Diane' were both raised at the Kalmthout Arboretum in Belgium, the origin of many of the finest hamamelis cultivars. While neither is noted for its scent, they more than compensate with fiery flower colours and autumn foliage.
H. vernalis 'Sandra': H. vernalis types produce small flowers and have tendency to sucker, an unhelpful trait in a small garden. H. vernalis 'Sandra' is worth growing, though, for its plum-purple new leaves. These go on to become green in summer, before sparking into glowing reds and orange in autumn.

As a general rule, the yellow varieties have the best scent. However, the visible difference between some varieties is almost negligible, even when sprigs of each are held together. Note the similarities between these three varieties: H. mollis 'Jermyn's Gold', H . x intermedia 'Moonlight' and H . x intermedia 'Sunburst'.

Growing tips

Hamamelis is generally pest- and disease-free, making it easy to grow. They prefer a free-draining, slightly acidic soil, ideally in light shade. Avoid windy sites.

They don't generally require pruning, but it might occasionally be necessary to remove dead or dying wood.