Witch Hazel

Hamamelis x intermedia Diane

• Position: full sun or partial shade
• Soil: moderately fertile, moist, well-drained neutral to acid soil
• Rate of growth: slow-growing
• Flowering period: January to February
• Hardiness: fully hardy
  
  In winter, this vase-shaped, deciduous shrub has clusters of sweetly scented, rich coppery-red flowers clinging to bare twigs. In autumn, the bright green leaves turn spectacular shades of yellow, orange and red. This award-winning variety of witch hazel is a lovely specimen plant for a sunny winter border or woodland edge. The flowering twigs can be cut to perfume rooms in winter.

• Garden care: In early spring remove any misplaced, crossing or diseased branches and apply a generous 5-7cm (2-3in) mulch of well-rotted compost or manure around the base of the plant.