Thorp Perrow Arboretum

PLANT OF THE MONTH

JANUARY 2011

HAMAMELIS

Hamamelis is a winter-flowering shrub, commonly known as witch hazel. Its spicy fragrance and spidery flowers in yellow, orange and reds make it a must for the winter garden.

A genus of four species of woody shrubs, two from North America and two from Asia, all flowering in the winter/early spring except for Hamamelis virginiana L. which flowers in the autumn. The first to be discovered was the American Witch Hazel, Hamamelis virginiana, this is the plant from which is distilled an extract, quite widely used in pharmaceutical and cosmetic products. The other species from North America is the Ozark Witch Hazel, Hamamelis vernalis. From Asia come both the Japanese Witch Hazel, Hamamelis japonica and the Chinese Witch Hazel, Hamamelis mollis. In cultivation, hybrids have arisen, notably between the Japanese and Chinese Witch Hazels, these are designated as Hamamelis x intermedia and many of them have been given cultivar names.

Apart from H. virginiana which flowers in October and November, they all flower in the winter, between December and March, unaffected by frost. Individual plants have a flowering period of four to six weeks, depending how cold the weather is. They are medium sized to large woody shrubs, usually multi-stemmed. The flowers consist of four strap shaped petals, giving them a spidery look. With many flowers clustered along the branches, they provide welcome colour in the drab winter months. Flower colour, particularly in the hybrids can range from pale yellow, through to red and many of them have good scent, from sweet to spicy. An added bonus in many cultivars is the autumn colour of the foliage, which can range from yellow through to orange and red.

The name Witch in witch-hazel has its origins in Middle English ‘wiche’, from the Old English ‘wice’, meaning "pliant" or "bendable". "Witch hazel" was used in England as a synonym for Wych Elm, Ulmus glabra; American colonists simply extended the familiar name to the new shrub. The use of the twigs as diving rods, just as Hazel twigs were used in England, may also have, by folk etymology, influenced the "witch" part of the name.

The bark and leaves are astringent; the extract, also referred to as witch hazel, is used medicinally. Extracts from its bark and leaves are used in aftershave lotions and lotions for treating bruises and insect bites. Witch-hazel helps to shrink and contract blood vessels back to normal size, hence its use as the active ingredient in many haemorrhoid medications. The seeds contain a quantity of oil and are edible. It is also used in treating acne. Witch Hazel is also used in treating psoriasis and eczema. In addition, Witch Hazel is sometimes found as an ingredient in eye drops.

Hamamelis at Thorp Perrow Arboretum:

‘Brevipetala’  U13

x intermedia

‘Arnold Promise’  361

‘Barmstedt Gold’  363

‘Diane’  366, 663

‘Feuerzauber’  364, 409

‘Gingerbread’ 713

‘Harry’  487

‘Jelena’  362

‘Livia’  482, 718

‘Orange Beauty’  405

‘Orange Peel’  481

‘Pallida’  401

‘Primavera’  365

‘Ripe Corn’  488

‘Rubin’  655

‘Ruby Glow’  690, 691

‘Vesna’  400

japonica

‘Arborea’  U8

‘Zuccariniana’  406

mollis  O113, S112, U127

‘Coombe Wood’  646

‘Wisley Supreme’  489

vernalis  U6

‘Lombart’s Weeping’  486

virginiana  U30

Plants of interest    January 2012

B8                   Acer griseum                                                           Bark

B41                 Betula utilis                                                             Bark

C224               Betula utilis var. ‘Jacquemontii’                             Bark

C228               Prunus serrula                                                          Bark

C469               Acer palmatum ‘Eddisbury’                                    Bark/stems

D115               Cotoneaster frigidus ‘Saint Monica’                       Berries

H36                 Quercus faginea                                                       Foliage

O29                 Rosa sericea subsp. omeiensis f. pteracantha          Thorns

S112                Hamamelis mollis                                                    Flowers/scent

T51                 Taxus baccata ‘Fastigata’                                         Foliage

T69                 Alnus cordata                                                           Catkins/cones

T70                 Prunus x subhirtella ‘Autumnalis Rosea’                Flowers

U288              Phyllostachys aureosulcata ‘Spectabilis’                 Stems

U291              Phyllostachys nigra ‘Boryana’                                 Stems

U310              Rhododendron sps.                                                   Foliage

X73                Mahonia japonica                                                     Flowers/scent

X285              Cotoneaster x watereri                                             Berries

Z311              Cornus alba ‘siberica’                                               Stems

Z364              Cornus sanguinea ‘Midwinter Fire’                          Stems

362                Hamamelis x intermedia ‘Jelena’                              Flowers/scent

400                Hamamelis x intermedia ‘Vesna’                              Flowers/scent

401                Hamamelis x intermedia ‘Pallida’                             Flowers/scent

481                Hamamelis x intermedia ‘Orange Peel’                     Flowers/scent

646                Hamamelis mollis ‘Coombe Wood’                           Flowers/scent

713                  Hamamelis ‘Gingerbread’                                      Flowers/scent

MP36              Sequoiadendron giganteum                                    Foliage/height

MP56              Abies nordmanniana                                               Foliage/height

MP230            Viburnum x bodnantense ‘Charles Lamont’           Flowers/scent  

Other areas of interest in the Arboretum;

At this time of the year it is a great time to take in our magnificent Evergreens around The Arboretum. We have some truly fantastic giants!

Another tree to admire at this time of the year is our majestic Catherine Parr Oak at the end of the Millennium Lake. Whilst its foliage has fallen you can really appreciate the stature and frame of this ancient giant!

As you walk around you will notice the Snowdrops appearing along with other bulbs – mind where you tread!