By Teresa Woodard

Here’s another wonderful early bloomer — witch hazel (Hamamelis).  I like to admire its diminutive blooms up close, so I clip branches to display indoors.

With its fragrant and colorful blossoms (ranging from red to yellow), witch hazel is a favorite shrub in Midwestern winter landscapes.  They bloom anytime from December to March, depending on the season’s weather. Even better, they don’t require special feeding or fertilizer, and they’ll grow in most soil conditions.

To learn more, check out Debra Knapke’s previous post or visit a local arboretum to see these treasures in bloom.  Dawes Arboretum in Newark, Ohio, offers a great collection.  Here are some snapshots from my visit.

Hamamelis ‘Orange Beauty’

Hamamelis ‘Orange Glow’

Hamamelis ‘Kohankie Red’

Hamamelis ‘Limelight’