Introduction:-
What better way to get rid of those winter blues than
through an explosion of golden yellow blooms in
the first weeks of Febrary? Dainty and delicate, these
fragrant blossoms adorn slender branches in clusters for
up to a month!
But this tree's virtues don't stop with its blooms.
Soft grayish-green leaves form in spring, giving way to
brilliant yellowish-apricot colors in the fall to reveal
slender, silvery trunks.
I love watching the leaves shift in summer breezes, the
doppled sun forming shifting patterns on underplanted
Biokovo geraniums and other fine-textured, bright
shade-loving perennials.
Happiest in partial shade to full sun, this remarkably
tolerant species has few insect or disease problems. It
does like moisture, but can tolerate drought.
Foliage: -
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Nearly round and between 3 and 6" long, the dull
green leaves are covered with fine hairs above
and dense grayish hairs beneath. The leaf
margins are wavy, accentuating the deep veins.
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Taxonomic description:
Orbicular-obovate to obovate, short-acuminate, obliquely
cordate to subcordate at base. Margins sinuately
denticulate, pubescent above, grayish tomentose beneath.
Petioles stout, densely pubescent.
Flowers: -
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Quite a sight for winter-weary eyes, the 5/8" long
flowers are yellow and fragrant and appear in February,
lasting several weeks. Borne in small clusters, they
each have four long, strap-like petals that curl up
in cold weather.
Taxonomic description:
Perfect, calyx ferrugineously tomentose outside,
purpish-red inside, petals golden yellow, reddish at
the base. 5/8" long, 4-petalled.
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View a larger version!
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Fruit: -
Not at all ornamental, the brownish fruit adorn
the branches in small clusters. Fortunately,
they are hidden as the leaves emerge.
Taxonomic description:
Two-valved, dehiscent capsule containing two jet black
seeds, splitting at maturity. Capsule is enclosed 1/3
by the calyx.
Fall Color: -
View a larger version!
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This witchhazel has the best fall color of any in
its genus, ranging from a spectacular yellow to
yellow-orange.
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Bark: -
The bark is a smooth, silvery gray on older branches,
with younger stems more grayish and slightly pubescent.
Pathology: -
This is a relatively disease and insect-free species,
with no serious problems, although Japanese beatles
sometimes eat the foliage.
Propagation: -
Seed treated with 3 months cold followed by 3 months warm
treatment resulted in high germination rates.
Cuttings taken in June and treated with 1% IBA also
root well.
Comments: -
This witchhazel is happiest in moist, acidic,
well-drained organic soils in full sun to partial
shade. However, it has proven to be quite
drought-tolerant in East-Central Illinois in
heavy clay soil, blooming heavily with no
winter protection.
Suggested uses: -
Best en masse, this tree can produce quite a floriferous
display that only gets better with quantity. It
also works quite well to soften building edges or as
a single specimen in a shaded garden corner.
Cultivars: -
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'Brevipetala'
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Twisted, longer flower petals
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'Coombe Wood'
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Wider spreading with slightly larger fragrant flowers
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'Donny Brook'
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Golden yellow flowers
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'Early Bright'
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Brighter yellow flowers 3-4 weeks earlier than species
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'Goldcrest'
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Later blooming rich golden yellow flowers
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'Pallida'
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Sulphur-yellow flowers, lustrous green leaves (Note:
Windsor Great Park in Wisley, sells the original stock,
raised by Mr. Louis Russell
others are not of the same lineage)
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Medicinal uses: -
This species has no significant medicinal uses.
References:
- Bean, W. J. Trees & Shrubs Hardy in
the British Isles: Supplement.. London:
John Murray, 1997.
- Dirr, Michael. Manual of Woody Landscape
Plants. Champaign: Stipes Publishing, 1990.
- Griffiths, M. The Index of Garden
Plants. Portland: Timber Press, 1994.
- Johnson, Warren T. and Howard H. Lyon.
Insects That Feed on Trees and Shrubs.
Ithica: Cornell University, 1994.
- Rehder, Alfred. Manual of Cultivated
Trees and Shrubs. New York: MacMillan
Publishing.
- Sinclair, Wayne A. et al. Diseases of
Trees and Shrubs. Ithica: Cornell University,
1993.
- Wyman, Donald. Wyman's Gardening
Encyclopedia. New York: MacMillan, 1986.
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