Monday, March 9, 2009

Witch Hazel Treats Winter Blues

Witch Hazel is one of the earliest blooming shrubs in the Northeast. This winter flowering plant has been used for hundreds of years for tea and tinctures to treat insect bites, swelling, sore muscles and more. However this weekend, the blooming Witch Hazels at Tower Hill Botanic Garden were an effective treatment for the winter blues.

Hamamelis x intermedia 'Diane' Hamamelis x intermedia 'Ruby Glow'
My eyes feasted on five Witch Hazels with beautiful blooms in shades of red and yellow gracing bare gray twigs. The spunky little flowers on these shrubs unravel when they bloom, looking like little party favors. They also offer up the most deliciously sweet wafting scent – it was hypnotic. And I wasn’t the only living creature enjoying this unexpected treat. There were over 100 buzzing honey bees from a nearby hive enjoying the sweet nectar of the Witch Hazel flower.

Hamamelis x intermedia 'Westerstede'
Hamamelis x mollis 'Pallida'
I was inspired by my visit to Tower Hill and have decided to add Witch Hazel Arnold Promise to my garden this spring. This shrub offers larger, showier flowers than the other varieties and the flowers are more highly scented too! I'll add this shrub to my garden and look forward to a golden glow against the winter snow next March.

Hamamelis x intermedia 'Arnold Promise'

2 comments:

  1. I can see why you would want to add that beauty to your gardens. What a treat!

    FlowerLady

    ReplyDelete
  2. Wow..the blooms with the bright sky back drop is awesome! That Arnold Promise is as bright as forsythias. Really lovely, thanks!
    Lynn

    ReplyDelete

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