Hamamelis x intermedia | witch hazel
A look at this remarkable winter-flowering shrub or small tree
One of my favourite plants is witch hazel with its contemporary crinkled ribbon flowers in the depths of winter. Warmed on sunny days they give off a sweet spiced scent that suits the season. Each flower has four petals that fall into the category of ‘petals defying possibility’, making them all the more magical.
You can see the structure of the flower in the above and below photos with maroon calyces from stems holding the pollen producing stamen and the nectaries. Despite flowering in deepest winter they can still be visited and pollinated by winter flying bees, moths or other insect. That said, they’re not particularly useful for wildlife, making them a luxury for us.
Personally in winter I favour warm colours. Witch hazel haven’t been bred with pink flowers yet but they are available in red, orange and yellow.
