The Ideas Genie Community Forum

Plants => Hamamelis => Topic started by: greenfinger on August 17, 2007, 09:02:29 PM

Title: which Hamamelis is this?
Post by: greenfinger on August 17, 2007, 09:02:29 PM

Today I visited the arboretum of Bokrijk, near Genk in Belgium.
Thinking all Hamamelis flowered in winter, early spring, I was astonished to find one in full bloom now in the midst of August.
Does anyone recognise this shrub?

Title: Re: which Hamamelis is this?
Post by: The Gardener on August 18, 2007, 12:43:26 PM

It could be Hamamelis virginiana (Virginian witch hazel), which usually flowers in autumn just as the leaves begin to fall.  It's not unusual for plants to flower out of season when weather conditions are a bit strange, as they have been this year.  In my own garden (UK) I had Hellebores flowering in July, and Cyclamen are forming leaves now instead of in winter.  I have flower buds on Viburnum tinus, and a spring-flowering Rhododendron in flower now.  Some plants were showing autumn colours in July, especially Vitis coignetiae.

Title: Re: which Hamamelis is this?
Post by: greenfinger on August 19, 2007, 09:53:43 PM

Thanks Chrissie. So I understood not all the members of the Hamamelis group flower in winter. Never too old to learn  ;)