Witch Hazel (Hamamelis virginiana) blooms in October and November, providing nectar for Owlet Moths.
Unique flowers that make me think of yellow straps of shredded coconut. The blooms closely spaced make it difficult to tell but each flower has four petals that curl up on cold days and unfurl on warmer days.
Blooming after their leaves have fallen to the ground the little trees or shrubs grow to 20 or 30 feet tall with a multi-stemmed clump of 15 to 20 feet wide.
With its leaves gone, the flowers join in the autumnal revelry!
4 responses to “Late Bloomer”
Hi Brenda:
Not sure if there are different varieties of witch hazel, but my large shrub blooms in February with orange-y blooms. It has the most wonderful scent on the air. One of my favorites. Perhaps the soil makes a difference?
Hi Nancy! It’s wonderful to hear from you!
You have a cultivar of Witch Hazel. What a pleasure it must be to have your bush/tree bloom in February. What I am seeing blooming right now is the native, in the woods, bushes/trees, Hamamelis virginiana. You might like to read about yours at: https://www.chicagobotanic.org/plantinfo/which_witch_hazel_should_be_your_yard
Hoping you are well!
Thanks for reading my posts
Bren
I’ve never noticed these plants. I’ll keep a lookout for them when I’m out walking. Thanks for sharing!
Hi Diane!
In answer to your comment, I’m directing you to a blog post by one of the blogging buddies, Ellen Honeycutt, who lives and writes from Georgia. She talks about Witch Hazel (Hamamelis virginiana), in Georgia, in this post:
https://usinggeorgianativeplants.blogspot.com/2011/11/witchhazel-original-fringeflower.html
Thanks for sending me the note! And thanks for reading my posts!
Bren