Blooming Witch Hazel

I am not going to officially feature this plant, or go into the specifics of identifying different species, but I didn't want this bloom season to pass completely without making mention of this fabulous plant.

Hamamelis (Witch hazel) - from the family Hamamelidaceae. Most common types planted in American gardens are Hamamelis x intermedia and Hamamelis mollis. The plant in the pictures is Hamamelis x intermedia 'Arnold's Promise.' It was photographed in early March in Washington, D.C.

Some witch hazels begin blooming as early as October, and we are now seeing the last few in bloom. They are a spectacular sight to see in the dead of winter! The flowers come in shades of yellow, rusty brown, and red. Many are quite fragrant. This is the same plant from which the witch hazel astringent is acquired.