Hamamelis

So...tell me about it please. I saw a beautiful one in someone's garden this afternoon...and decided I wanted one. A bit of googling tells me they like a fairly sheltered spot, plenty of sun and need some protection from the frosts when young. We have clay soil, so how does that work for them?

And anything else I need to know please!:thumb:

 

I dont have one, or even know a lot about them other than that they are Witch Hazel but I also did a quick 'Google' ( funny how that's become a verb isnt it ? ) and came up with this for it's soil preferences :-

'' The plant prefers light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils and requires well-drained soil. The plant prefers acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It requires moist soil. ''

 

The only one we have had trouble with (We have 6 I think) is the purple flowered one and that was attacked by a rabbit. Our soil is well drained silt and we are certainly not sheltered from anything! They do get big in time, if you let them.

 

They are very slow growing

 

...and very expensive - but worth evry penny. So dont cut back on planting costs

 

Thanks all - one to consider, especially if someone asks me if I want a present!

 

Exactly. The ideal present for me:hehe:

 

Just seen half a dozen different ones ranging in price from £9.99 to £29.99 (Amethyst, my purple one naturally). Dingle Nursery in Welshpool.