Plant of the Moment
Winter 2011

Click here for our special winter availability list.

Hamamelis, or witch hazels, make splendid garden plants and we are continually expanding the range we offer. In autumn their leaves develop brilliant colour, and in late winter their spidery flowers open on bare branches, red, yellow or orange, often with a delicious spicy scent. They like good soil, not too dry but not waterlogged, and prefer acid to neutral conditions, in sun or part shade. They can be grown in large pots with careful watering. All are fully hardy. They will make large shrubs in time, but are not the fastest growers, and can be lightly pruned if necessary. They are not native to Britain, but their leaves look very natural in an English garden and make a good backdrop for other plants in summer. In short, they are excellent shrubs.

Hamamelis x intermedia ‘Pallida’ is one of the best known, with large, sulphur yellow flowers and a strong, sweet scent. ‘Jelena’ is a deservedly popular variety with large, fragrant flowers that appear orange, and on close inspection are yellow, flushed deep copper. ‘Diane’ is another popular variety, with scented, dark red flowers. These three all hold the RHS Award of Garden Merit.

Less well known but excellent varieties include ‘Vesna’, an upright form with strongly fragrant, orange-yellow flowers, and ‘Orange Beauty’ with light orange flowers. We have recently started stocking more red flowered varieties, including ‘Rubin’, a gorgeous dark red, and ‘Livia’, new to us this year. Hamamelis are excellent for grouping, and so attractive that once you start it is difficult to stop at one!

All the above are available at £24.50 in large 4 litre pots.