One of the uncommon plants in the botanical garden is the witch hazel. Witch hazels provide unusual interest at times of the year when other garden flowers, shrubs, and trees are dormant.Witch hazels belong to the family Hamamelidacae and are related to other garden species familiar to devoted gardeners. Fothergilla, Paerotia, Corylopsis, and many others less well known woody shrubs and trees, including the American sweetgum, all belong to the witch hazel family. Members of the witch hazel family have a number of features in common:1. Good ...view middle of the document...
The flowers consist of 1-inch wide displays of narrow, strap-like petals ranging from light yellow through oranges to bronze and even brick red.The fall-blooming witch hazel is the largest shrub of the family. Plants often reach 20 feet or greater in height. The flowers are light yellow and reach their peak before, during, and following the brilliant yellow fall foliage display.The winter- and spring- blooming witch hazels tend to be showier because the floral display is not blocked by leaves. Chinese witch hazel is the most fragrant of all and typically has the largest flowera, but leaves occasionally show heavy powder mildew in later summer. This species is also the least tolerant of cold. Temperatures of - 15 degrees will kill flower buds. Vernal witch hazel is the most cold tolerant of the winter and spring booming species. It is th earliest to flower and is very fragrant. Japanese witch hazel has relatively small flowers and is not as fragrant as the other species.The table below shows some of the flowering times and color of shrubs that can be used in the garden to create an almost continuous display from September through April. Plan to visit the Botanical Center this fall, winter, and spring to see some of these remarkable plants in there full
