The experts at Monkton Elm Garden Centre explore the attributes of witch hazel.
HAMAMELIS MOLLIS is the earliest of the witch hazels to come into flower in January, and sometimes even a little earlier. Its common name is Chinese witch hazel, as it was discovered in Jiujiang, in the south east of China in the 1870s.
It is distinct from other hamamelis as it has softer leaves – mollis is Latin for soft. Jermyn’s Gold is a good example; although upright, it is fairly slow growing, reaching about three metres in 10 years. The hairy, soft, green leaves turn buttery yellow in autumn, and in winter golden yellow spidery flowers bloom on bare branches, with a subtle scent wafting through the air. Under planting with a drift of snowdrops is a winning combination sure to stop you in your tracks even on the coldest day.
This story is from the January 2018 edition of Somerset Life.
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This story is from the January 2018 edition of Somerset Life.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
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