Hamamelis x intermedia ‘Pallida’

The Witch Hazel in the Grapes Hill Community Garden, Hamamelis x intermedia ‘Pallida’ (a.k.a. Hamamelis mollis ‘Pallida’) is in flower at the moment, providing some delicate winter colour with its yellow flowers. We only planted it last March but it was in flower when we bought it and it will eventually grow up to 4 metres in height and width, if the ash trees allow it.

It’s hardy and doesn’t mind partial shade, so is a useful plant to grow. The flowers are fragrant, though you sometimes need to warm them up by breathing on them if you want to catch the scent.

There are several other species of Hamamelis and even a nursery in Kent that specialises in them, though we bought ours at Mousehold Garden Centre in Norwich.

Witch Hazel is useful medicinally. Extracts from the bark and leaves are used to make soothing eye drops. I can vouch for these but, thankfully, not for Witch Hazel’s use in the treatment of hemorrhoids or post-natal tearing of the perineum.