![[Photo: Hamamelis virginiana flowers © Nicky Sztybel.]](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUFcx6r7CWPgiSnx6TnQdjKK5C0jRSfOoffl2abPrtyiK5Cs6VkKoj20293hxeWi_DsMfK9N_7XJo7YstSycqf8vZqGBP2HpchiDCVI0fmg1hcNysz3tvo1ToV6otE44jKAMOVD8nSMh95/s1600-h/Hammamelis+virginiana+by+Nicky.jpg)
Although he photographed these flowers in High Park last Monday, Nicky wanted me to post this plant today in honour of Hallowe'en. Hamamelis virginiana, known in English as "American witchhazel" and in French as hamamélis de Virginie, is a deciduous tree native to eastern and central North America. Unlike most of our native trees, witchhazel blooms in autumn, possibly to take advantage of the lack of other flowers vying for pollinators attention. I was thrilled to see this interesting tree for the first time in real life!
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Hamamelis virginiana in bloom
Although he photographed these flowers in High Park last Monday, Nicky wanted me to post this plant today in honour of Hallowe'en. Hamamelis virginiana, known in English as "American witchhazel" and in French as hamamélis de Virginie, is a deciduous tree native to eastern and central North America. Unlike most of our native trees, witchhazel blooms in autumn, possibly to take advantage of the lack of other flowers vying for pollinators attention. I was thrilled to see this interesting tree for the first time in real life!
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Last night I realized that I have seen witchhazel before; in fact, there is one just around the block which I've passed a thousand times when walking the dogs and such, but never recognized because I hadn't noticed the blooms.
ReplyDeleteWitchhazel is an absolute must for Toronto Gardening all year round. I have a Hamamelis 'Jelena', a cultivar that blooms in February!
ReplyDeleteI've fallen in love with witchhazels, too -- 'Jelena' is one that caught my eye. I think it's an orange flowering one. I believe the spring-flowering varieties are the Asian species. However, as they are quite well behaved, I'd be happy to host a long-term stay. If I had room, I'd have both spring and fall.
ReplyDeleteWhere is the one that you pass, Rosemary?
It's on the south side of Wolverleigh, just east of Woodington, i.e. across from Earl Beatty School.
ReplyDeleteCool, I never heard of a tree flowering in fall. It's pretty.
ReplyDeleteI've noticed, now that all the leaves have fallen, how many buds there are on my witch-hazel. It should be a good season ahead for blossom.
ReplyDeleteIncidentally, other Spring blooming trees are also loaded with buds. Magnolias, Dogwoods etc.