Witch Hazel - advice needed

[MrsKP]

Hi there dearly delicious people.

It's been some time since I've been able to concentrate on what's going on in the garden and on the plot as I've been down south for pretty much the last 5 months helping to nurse my poorly Mum.

Sadly we lost her in late February, and said goodbye to her yesterday.

At some stage she had said she wanted to buy me a witch hazel bush as they were advertised in a Sunday supplement one week. We never got round to doing anything about it.

Now some of my time is my own again, I want to get one. I know nothing about any of the Hamamelis varieties and would appreciate some help before I just buy the first one I google.

One of the drawbacks at the moment however is that I don't know if I'm staying put up north, or end up moving back to the sunny south, so ideally it would have to be in a pot for one, possibly two years before I find somewhere to lay my hat.

I'd prefer a fragrant variety, brighter colour the better. When's best to plant, and is ericaceous compost required .... you all know the sort of questions I need answering.

Thanks as always.

;D

[MrsKP]

[froglets]

Hi KP,

Sorry to hear your news.

re WitchHazel, I have an Arnold Promise in a large pot on wheels in my yard so that when it comes into flower in the winter I can wheel it next to the path and get a whiff of the amazing spicy lemon scent.   

As scent is such a personal thing, I would suggest holding on until next Feb and buying one in flower so you can choose a scent you love & mark the year gone in.

There's a pic of mine in my gallery.  It gets no special care, general soil and manure went into the pot and it gets a dousing of worm wee from my wormery & watered in the summer when things are dry.  We spent about £25 buying it three years ago and it's 6ft tall now so lots of flowers at nose height.  There's a pic of it in my gallery.

Cheers

[ipt8]

I have in the back of my mind that the flowers can vary so I would pay a little more and buy one in flower, so you see what you are getting. Cant say about the scent. I havent grown one myself.
I guess if it is to stay potted for a while dont buy a pot bound one to start with.

[Biscombe]

I'm so sorry about your mum KP  :( my thoughts are with you  :-* god luck with the witch hazel xxxxxxxx

[ACE]

How about chinese witch hazel. It stays nice and compact and is ideal for a pot.

[MrsKP]

Thanks so much everyone ... for everything !

Certainly given me some things to think about ......... and if I had the patience to wait until February (doubt it  :P) would give me loads of time to research.

I like lemony scents though, so might just look at an Arnold's Promise now ..... just to try  :P  Never one to end up with "just the one" so could look at the Chinese ones too.

;D

[MrsKP]

Hi KP,

Sorry to hear your news.

re WitchHazel, I have an Arnold Promise in a large pot on wheels in my yard so that when it comes into flower in the winter I can wheel it next to the path and get a whiff of the amazing spicy lemon scent.   

As scent is such a personal thing, I would suggest holding on until next Feb and buying one in flower so you can choose a scent you love & mark the year gone in.

There's a pic of mine in my gallery.  It gets no special care, general soil and manure went into the pot and it gets a dousing of worm wee from my wormery & watered in the summer when things are dry.  We spent about £25 buying it three years ago and it's 6ft tall now so lots of flowers at nose height.  There's a pic of it in my gallery.

Cheers

Lovely blooms froglets.  How is it supported ?  or isn't it ?

[froglets]

Hi,

it's not supported - just grows like a fan shaped twiggy bush, if that makes sense.  It's pretty sturdy.

I've found a picture of it in front of the Christmas tree in the back yard - not a brilliant pic, but you can see the shape & structure of it.

[MrsKP]

Wow, impressive for only 3 years old and good that it still fits in a pot !

I've seen some on sale for £18 and £30, not sure whether to go for less is more or more is ............. erm ................ more !!!   ;D

[froglets]

This one was a present for my OH & it was a £25 one.............  but from a reputable nursery & about waist height.  We bought on scent!