Last month was the first time I joined in the tree watching meme hosted by Lucy of Loose and Leafy, but already I have reaped the benefits – rushing as I did to post on the 7th of last month I failed to notice that my young witch hazel, Hamamelis ‘Amethyst’ already sported several flower buds. It was Frank, one of my regular readers that spotted them on the photograph, and when I checked my other witch hazels the majority of them also showed the distinctive clusters of three tiny nodules that will open up into the wispy flowers in winter or very early spring. I had never noticed this early development before!
There has been very little change since last month other than a few more new leaves opening, the result of delaying the transfer from pot to ground as advised by the nursery, the plant only just having been dug from the nursery bed at the time of purchase. Elsewhere in the garden the other witch hazels are beginning their autumn transition which can involve a range of beautiful shades, as shown already on H . ‘Zuccariniana’ (below left) and H ‘Arnold Promise’ (right), so it will be interesting to see when ‘Amethyst’ decides to join in this autumn colourfest in her first year here – as H vernalis, rather than the more common H japonica, she may of course have her own agenda….
Rambling in the Garden 
Oh, I wish I had space for a Witch Hazel! My previous attempts, one in border and one in pot, have both failed! 😦
My first ‘few’ failed, after I tried them in the woodland – they definitely like it more open and sunny than that. The ones I have now are all very happy, including one I moved FROM the woodland before it expired.
I’ll take that on board and try again! Thanks, Cathy
Looking forward to how this develops, I would like to grow more winter flowering plants, do you have a favourite?
The joy of watching witch hazels progressively come into flower is always wonderful, but last year I also noticed the importance of strongly fragranced winter flowering plants like Lonicera fragrantissima and Sarcococca. Some witch hazels are supposedly fragrant too but it’s not something I have experienced yet.
hello Cathy, glad you decided to join this meme, it is interesting and has made me realise how little I previously looked closely at my trees, how lovely to see those welcome winter flowers will be there, Frances
And particularly on such a young plant too – it is less than 2ft tall.
The foliage is so gorgeous in the fall that the flowers are just an added bonus.
A great plant all round, Charlie!
That foliage already looks so promising, what a rich blend of colors. I only wish mine would do the same instead of just going brown and dropping its foliage.
Sadly enough the reason I know to look for flower buds as early as June is because my own doesn’t often make them. I’m sure it’s unhappy in its location, but its the best I have.
Oh I am so sorry yours is not happy – what a shame…. 😦
Glad you found the flowers. It’s like being a detective while skipping the crime.
Great analogy!
I love these trees and have a small one just starting…which reminds me I need to check it too!!
I must join in this meme too, next month! Interesting to see your small trees almost everyone else has chosen something full grown but you’ll be able to see how yours grow and hopefully flourish.
That’s why I dithered for ages about joining because our ‘proper’ trees are mostly amidst other foliage and not in the best places for photographing
My Arnold Promise has beautifully coloured autumn leaves whereas the others are still green. I thought perhaps it was stressed but as yours is turning too perhaps it is normal. I am relieved.
And since that part shot of it it has turned even more and is looking very pretty indeed, with virtually no green. Interesting too that it was the last of mine to flower. I certainly have no reason to think mine is stressed so I am sure yours is OK.
Is it wrong that I am already looking forward to seeing photos of your witch hazel collection in full flower?! Mine won’t be as magnificent as it was this year, I think a lack of water in the hot summer has meant fewer buds, but there will be some. Good to have you on tree watch (says she, who still hasn’t posted this week’s contribution…)
Oh… those late winter flowers…. lovely to have them to look forward to. I know mine are happy where they are now so I can be confident of the thriving – did you plant another apart from the one in the circular bed?
Not as yet, I don’t really have a good spot that gets enough sun and from where I will be able to appreciate the flowers, and yet where it won’t be dreary for most of the rest of the year! But I have just planted another dogwood for winter interest, a bargain enormous pot-bound plant for £4.50!
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