Hamamelis Mollis revisited today when at its very best
There are a number of shrubs which flower in late Autumn and also in early Spring. Only two of which flower in the coldest months of January and February in Aberdeen come to mind. The evergreen shrub Sarcococca flowers in February in our garden. However the most striking one is the Hamamelis, which flowers December/February I wouldn’t be without this one.
Hamamelis Mollis
Many years ago our gardening interest took off. I was given a huge batch of a weekly publication (Garden news) I would read these most evenings absorbing as much information unaware that this was to become for the both of us a lifetime passion. Gradually I found whilst opening the garden news the first pages I would turn to was Geoffrey Smiths garden diary.
Not only his gardening knowledge but his way with words made him the most inspirational of all the celebrity gardeners and broadcasters. In fact when he stopped his article, Garden News was never quite the same.
The career of this Yorkshire man of course went much further than a newspaper article. He was made a superintendent of the Royal Horticultural Society’s garden at Harlow Carr at the age of 26, and continued to work there for two decades. Geoffrey also presented the BBC Gardeners world and also several series on BBC2. Sadly Geoffrey passed away in February 2009.The memory of this highly accomplished gardener will live on.
For me, today’s featured plant always brings Geoffrey Smith to mind. I had heard him comment more than once that Hamamelis Mollis (Chinese witch hazel) would not grow in his Yorkshire garden. Must have been something to do with the soil as Hamamelis thrives in our even cooler Aberdeen climate.
H/Mollis a very attractive winter flowering shrub. Between December and February the spidery sweet scented mid yellow flowers cling to the bare stems, very eye catching and unexpected in these cold wintry days. This robust shrub seems to thrive in Aberdeen.
Plant near enough a garden path or mixed border where it can also be appreciated from a window indoors. In Autumn the bright green leaves of this deciduous shrub turn a soft yellow.
Remove any dead or misplaced branches in early Spring and mulch with general garden compost.
The Royal Horticultural Society has given it its prestigious Award of Garden Merit.
Hardiness – Fully hardy
Height – 9ft/280cm (slow growing)
Position – Full sun/part shade
Soil – Well drained neutral to acid
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Arnold Promise
Arnold Promise is another form of Hamamelis worthy of a position in any garden. The one above is in our woodland area, out of sight from the house. She demands a visit to see her bright lemon coloured blooms which lighten up the garden even in the dullest of days. Usually by late February in one of the mild spells she sheds her flowers with a promise to return in the cold days of Winter next.
Do take care where you plant Hamamelis for they are rather expensive and do not take kindly to repositioning at a later date.
Hamamelis in the UK are generally disease resistant. It was however pointed out to me by Carolyn from Carolyns Shade Garden that she did lose a specimen to disease. The likely problems which I can find are, leaf galls, caused by aphids, or fungal leaf spots, a powdery mildew on the leaves is something else that can occur. Fortunately in my garden we have escaped these troubles.
© 2011, Alistair. All rights reserved.
Hi Alistair – thanks for leaving a comment on my blog. You asked about getting people to connect with your blog. I dont know how long you have been doing yours but it does take time to get going (Mine is nearly 3 yrs old). You have to build up a following and the best way to do this is leaving comments on other blogs so they come and visit you. For me my blog took off when I registered at Blotanical http://www.blotanical.com/ – I dont think you are on there. You will discover 1000s of gardening blogs from around the world and you can start to network with others who have similar interests. I dont think it is your content as your posts seem good and informative you just need to make those contacts and stick at it. Good Luck
Helen.
Check out The Patient Gardener, I promise it will become a habit
Hi Alistair… What a fine picture of the Hamamelis mollis! I have had Jelena and Arnold’s Promise for three years… both were moved to a spot where the rabbits will be less likely to bother them, this past spring. I can’t say that either one has grown much from the 3.5′ plants I bought them as… I do hope they will do well here. A friend sent a picture of one that was some 20 feet + across and in full bloom… they are amazing!
It was eleven degrees below zero fahrenheit this morning, but should warm to low 30′s this next week… that will feel good as the fuel bill has been high this year! This is the big ‘Garden Expo’ event about two hours from here this weekend… may take that in to help ameliorate the spring fever thing that’s going on with me! Take care, Larry
Larry recently posted..Iris week at web garden
They are slow in growing Larry, I think this is the reason that they are so expensive. Still very cold over there , a visit to the garden expo may well be a good idea.
Dear Alistair, I agree with you that Hamamelis makes a bold statement plant in the winter garden. I think that the woodland situation which you provide for yours may account for its strong growth and prolific flowering. I have seen in my time rather more sickly specimens of this plant than healthy ones and I do believe that a condition which is more acidic than neutral and is more sheltered and shaded than not will produce better results. Yours certainly looks spectacular. As for me…….I am afraid to confess that I should choose the Sarcococca!!
Edith Hope recently posted..Out of Town
Ah Edith, If I had been asked which plant Edith Hope would have favoured I would have said Sarcococca.
Alistair, Very beautiful photo of H. mollis and some great information. ‘Arnold’s Promise’ is a cross between Chinese and Japanese witch hazels, hence H. x intermedia. I had been growing mine for about 10 years in a spot where it’s unusual vase-shaped habit fit perfectly when it came down with a disease which causes the leaves to curl up and die in summer. Eventually it stopped flowering except on the end of the branches and generally was not very ornamental any more. ‘Arnold’s Promise’ is very susceptible to this disease. It was diagnosed in my garden when I was visited by the English witch hazel expert who holds the national collection (and whose name escapes me right now as does the name of the problem). Other witch hazel cultivars are resistant so when choosing one some research needs to be done.
Carolyn @ Carolyn’s Shade Gardens recently posted..Are Snowdrops Thermogenic
Carolyn, thanks for the further information on Arnold Promise, so interesting I will update my post. This is what I like about comments.
The flowers are gorgeous without leaves to interfere. We do not see such beauty in the tropics.
One recently posted..Gratitude
One, I would think that there is no lack of beauty in the tropics.
Alistair, I sent my question to Tony Aiello, the Curator of Plants and Director of Horticulture at the Morris Arboretum of the University of Pennsylvania. The British witch hazel expert’s name is Chris Lane. Tony says: “The disease is Phyllosticta hamamelidis. It seems especially bad on ‘Arnold’s Promise’ and ‘Pallida’. The mollis cultivars seem the most resistant.” Hope that adds to the discussion. Carolyn
Carolyn @ Carolyn’s Shade Gardens recently posted..Are Snowdrops Thermogenic
Thanks Carolyn, your information will be valuable.
Hi Alistair – The photos (taken with your new camera I assume) are so sharp and those catkins (I hope that’s the right word) look sulphur yellow – Brilliant.
b-a-g recently posted..Blooming Friday – Winter 11 FEB 2011
Those are the flower petals bag.
I love that plant, now and again, I have real garden envy – being very far up norht – a plant like that won’t do here – too windy and cold – but I am glad to find your blog and read about your one!
Will be following a fellow north gardener
Fay
fay recently posted..Who- pray tell- lobbed a shoe in my garden Cinders own up!!
Hello Fay, I will pay a visit to your site