Monday, March 26, 2012

First Blooms


We've had a light snowfall tonight, hovering around zero. Years ago, about twenty-five!!!...when my tulips were just out of the ground, I remember phoning a garden neighbour fretting about them..."what's going to happen..will I lose them?" Now, I know the resilience of plants, and most especially of bulbs and early blooms like Hellebores and Witch Hazel.

Last year, two Hamamelis (Witch Hazels)..in particular, 'Diane', found a home here. One of my dearest friends is named Diane, so that influenced me greatly, but it was the thought that these blooms would be the first to enhance the garden in spring that drew me to them. Their ripped ribbons of petals...large and striking, were planted where the sun shines through them, in late afternoon as seen in the photo above.
The blooms start out rather bright red as above, and then, grow to an autumn orangey red and last almost a month. These are not tiny blooms..they are about an inch across..and when a mature shrub, it must be marvellous to behold. Mine, only in it's first year here, but two year old stock..is a joy. I cannot recommend this highly enough..this 'Diane'. She is a true and blessed harbinger of spring.

18 comments:

  1. Your photo's are beautiful!! I haven't heard of this flower ... I love the color and ribbon petals ... so pretty!
    ~Michele

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  2. what a beautiful witch hazel! I would love to have this variety.

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  3. Your witch hazels are beautiful Brenda. I'm not sure I've ever seen one? How fun to get a little snow. It really is so beautiful.

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  4. Your Diane is quite lovely... I've enjoyed my witch hazels this season and am thinking of adding more... Diane appears to be a wise choice! Larry

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  5. I've never seen witch hazel before. That's a beautiful bloom, very unusual...

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  6. Bren: You are so sweet to comment on my lowly Blog... Thanks for letting me know i am not alone in cyber world! Love love love the Hamamelis cultivar 'Diane'. Between 'her' and 'Arnold Promise' our current spring temperatures registering in the 30's (after a couple of 80 degree days last week!) are manageable. Orange is the NEW IT color, don't you think?
    PS We who grew up in the 70's are still trend setters! Happy Gardening

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  7. I love witch hazel for the same reason that it's such a wonderful indicator of spring. Although I planted the native variety and it's a fall bloomer. I've been looking for a spot for a spring bloomer since as I really like Diane as well.

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  8. Lovely Hammamelis, one of those trees I always meant to treat myself to and still haven't got round to it, the smell is beautiful at this time of year.

    Paul

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  9. They really look beautiful Bren, the petals are so unusual, love them! We are in the glory of Autumn/Fall here (do you say Fall or Autumn in Canada???) so I will visit you in the next couple of months for some spring treats :-)

    ciao
    Alessandra

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  10. Witch hazel flowers are a wondrous sight in spring. I'll just have to make room for one!

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  11. Diane is very lovely. I have a seedling of Jelena that has the more usual yellow flowers but the fragrance is divine!

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  12. My magnolia burst into early bloom last week and is already done flowering. The show was impressive, but so brief! Witch hazel, on the other hand, blooms for about a month in early spring. Sign me up! Your orangey-red variety is a nice change from the more common yellow. Diane is definitely going on my wish list.

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  13. Catching up after another busy period away. It is truly spring here - temperature in the twenties at one point this week.
    Our garden is coming back too - the fritillaries just appeared out of nowhere - fantastic

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  14. Hey, I just wanted to say "Thnk You" for stopping by my blog and the kind words. Also, I want to say that I've never seen a Witch Hazel bloom before. Things like this crazy looking bloom are exactly the sort of thing that inspires my work. ;0) So, thank you for that as well.

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  15. i am so glad to find you! i love all things nova scotia! and we have syd the kid here. i signed on to follow!

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  16. Thanks for the recommendation. the size and colour of the blooms makes this especially attractive.

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  17. Hello again, pre blog I had never seen the variety Diane and I do enjoy seeing it being shared in blogs. That's the one I'd consider having if I had room for it :-(

    Enjoy your garden just now - hoping you've not had an extra cold snap like we have :-)

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