This late-flowering witch hazel can be admired in the Winter Garden.
Hamamelis japonica is one of five species which occur in the eastern United States, eastern China and Japan. All species are deciduous, and have scented flowers with narrow, yellow petals up to 2cm in length, and alternate, wavy-margined leaves which can take on striking autumn colour. H. japonica (Japanese witch hazel) originates from Japan, and has an open habit, growing to 4m in height. This selection has globose heads of pale lemon-yellow flowers in late winter. Members of the genus are valuable for their winter flower and fragrance, and also for their autumn colour, and require fertile moist, acidic to neutral soils, or deep, humus-rich soil over chalk.