Hamamelis ~ Witch Hazel

Hamamelis 'Diane'

This beautiful Witch Hazel, along with some golden yellow Hamamelis 'Mollis' plants, are shrubs that were included in the last round of planting on Newington Green. The flowers have a delicate perfume and these were blooming in February.

Witch Hazels are native to North America but are grown in the UK as ornamental plants. The leaves and bark are also used medicinally as an astringent.

The term 'witch' comes from the Old English 'wice', meaning bendy. This refers to the centuries old practice of using hazel rods for water divining, or dowsing, in which someone hunts for underground water by holding a forked hazel rod out in front of them as they walk along. It is claimed that the rod bends down towards the ground if water is present, indicating the source .

Some moths use Witch Hazels as a food plant.

February 2010