Cast a spell with Witch hazel

Enchanting flowers, potent perfume and great autumn leaf colour, all in one easy-togrow package – it’s well worth making room for a Hamamelis, says Graham Rice

- Graham Rice

IN nature, it’s all about survival, which is why Chinese witch hazel (Hamamelis Mollis) has developed the ability to fire its seeds at a speed of around 12m per second, propelling them a distance of up to 33ft (10m) before they land on (hopefully) fertile ground.

That’s not the only remarkable thing about witch hazel, however. The flowers are pretty special, too. In full bloom on a sunny winter day, they give off a sweet fragrance so potent that you can smell it in the street, even before you see those distinctive spidery shapes. In fact, at its best, Hamamelis is one of the most exciting multi-feature shrubs, offering an unbeatable combination of flowers, fragrance, autumn leaf colour and an elegant shape. It’s easy to grow, too. What more could you ask for? '

Clusters of flowers line the branches – sometimes from before Christmas but mostly in January and February. Their shape is intriguing: each has four long, often crinkled, petals, generally in shades of yellow – from deep gold almost to primrose. There are also reddish and coppery tones, plus bicolours, but it’s the yellows that really make an impression.

Distinct variations

Varieties differ in the strength of their fragrance: some are strongly scented, while others have no smell at all. So choose carefully if the fragrance is important to you. Autumn leaf colour varies, too – it’s impressive in some but can be rather feeble in others.

There are also variations in the way witch hazels develop. While some are upright in growth, some are much more spreading and others fall between the two. It’s worth considering this when selecting a variety for your plot. And bear in mind that they tend not to cast dense shade, which means that many plants will thrive beneath their canopy.

Growing speed