Wondrous Witch Hazels

January 28, 2008 - Some people might think that the winter landscape is devoid of bloom and scent but they would be in for a pleasant surprise. Now is the peak blooming time for the witch hazel clan with their often heavily scented fright-wig flowers. Growing to large shrubs over time, Hamamelis mollis (botanical name) blooms in early winter with a sweet scent that will transport you back to your grandmother's medicine cabinet.

Great displays of witch hazel will be in flower throughout the month of January along the Ceperley Meadow side of the Stanley Park Pitch & Putt Golf Course and along the Rhododendron Walk at the VanDusen Botanical Garden.

Vancouver's climate is very suitable for this easy-care shrub which will reward the home gardener with numerous cut branches for the winter table. Take a walk and be sure to inhale this most evocative of scents.

Cultivation of Hamamelis

(from Saunders' Encyclopedia of Gardening)

Hardy winter and early spring deciduous shrubs. First introduced in the early 18th century. Hamamelis like rich, deep loam. Position where they can have plenty of space to accommodate their spreading habit either as a lawn specimen or in the shrub or perennial bed. Can be propagated by layering in October or November.

Note: If you're serious about the written facts of most garden plants presented in a compact but reliable format, treat yourself to a second hand copy of Saunders' Encyclopedia of Gardening. Mine was given to me by my gardening friend and former Stanley Park Gardener Alleyne Cook who seeks them out at second hand book stores for his numerous "horticultural hounds". I refer to Saunders' first despite my extensive collection of gardening books.

Terri Clark

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