Witch hazels
In the middle of our shady garden,
Hamamelis intermedia ‘Pallida’ has opened its bright, starburst flowers and its gentle scent floods the whole area. Its lemon-yellow flowers show up well against a dark backdrop.
On a bleak day when its spreading branches are lit with pale yellow tassels, ‘Pallida’ provides an invaluable tonic.
Witch hazel flowers are unique and though each one may be small and skinny, the effect multiplied by hundreds, possibly thousands, in an older specimen creates a magical effect. Many begin their flowering during December, revealing their spidery petals in an array of gorgeous colours from lemon to deep orange-bronze.
‘Jelena’ has coppery-coloured flowers and ‘Diane’ is an even ho er colour, verging on red. Many of these shrubs give a second performance, too, when their large, round leaves take on glorious tints before they fall to the ground in late October and November.
‘Allgold’ speaks for itself – both flowers and autumn foliage are a rich yellow. It’s more suitable for a small garden than some of the others as it has an upright habit.