[ back ]
Yes, there are flowers on that shrub
(by Gina M. Mahon - February 20, 2008)
 |
Photo By Gina M. Mahon
The ‘Arnold Promise’ variety of Witch Hazel offers bright yellow flowers.
|
Have you been out for a walk around your neighborhood or a botanical garden lately? I know it’s still winter but you’d be surprised at what you will see growing.
Did you spy something that made you think that winter isn’t so bad after all? Was it a shrub with maybe bright yellow or rust color spider-like flowers clustered along its stems? Then you saw Hamamelis, meaning “together with fruit” and known to us as ‘Witch Hazel’ or ‘Winterbloom.’
The fruit (a seed capsule with five black seeds) flower, and next year’s leaf bud are all on the stem at the same time. This deciduous shrub is not only native to North America but there are some species that come from
East Asia . The shrubs we generally plant in our gardens are a hybrid of the native and imported. The dried leaves and sometimes the bark or twigs are used to make the very fragrant liniment ‘witch hazel’.
Distilled Witch Hazel is said by some to reduce swelling and inflammation of muscles. You may also find it in after-shave and other lotions.
Witch Hazel can be grown as a shrub or a small tree usually from 10 to 15 feet tall. The leaves of the witch hazel are green in the spring and summer but come autumn, they will turn yellow with red and orange hues.
Keep the soil moist since it will not do well in a very dry area. This is a great cool weather, acid loving shrub that needs little pruning and will do best when planted in a sunny location in your garden.
For the brightest yellow go with ‘Arnold Promise’. Looking for one with an orange flower? Then you are looking for ‘Jelena’. ‘Diane’ will give you deep red flowers, although these flowers will be smaller than the others.
The flowering stems are great for cutting. Bring a few inside and they will brighten up any room. The lack of foliage during the winter allows the now blooming flowers to be seen from a distance. But I say “get up close”, you’ll enjoy the flowers and their fragrance!
Remember, there can never be enough flowers, so enjoy!
[ back ]
