Hamamelis (witch hazel)

Sir Harold Hillier Gardens holds all five known species of witch hazel, two of which are from China and Japan, and three from the United States. However, most of the 152-plant collection is comprised of cultivars.

The Gardens have over 70 different varieties of Hamamelis x intermedia, a cross made of H. mollis and H. japonica.

Witch hazel flowers in the winter, from January to March. The colourful, spidery long petalled flowers come in shades of yellow, orange, and red, and are often highly fragrant. The autumn colour is another outstanding feature, ranging from buttery yellow to deep reds and purples.