Blooms of Late Winter

What a glorious day it is! The sun is shining and the wind is blowing but with temperatures reaching the mid-50’s before the day is done by half – a good one by our northern standards. 

Much to the surprise of those lacking indoctrination into the wonders of the northern 4/5 regions, there is always something of interest happening in the garden. But I must admit that this gardener can only enjoy the intricacies of bark and branches for so long before longing for some pretty flowery stuff. And honestly, as much as I love the north, we are hard pressed to have much flowering in late February and early March. So when the blooms of this witchhazel - Hamamelis vernalis ‘Purple Ribbons’ – put on such a beautiful show last week, I was glad to be privy to the sight. 

Hamamelis vernalis 'Purple Ribbons' (available from www.songsparrow.com)

If you have not tried any of the witchhazels, Hamamelis vernalis is a wonderfully tough species for our northern area. They are easy to grow, relatively problem free (just a few minor annoyances here and there), and quite adaptable to our generally higher pH soils. Even though the gray coloring and twisted character of the stems is quite stunning, I do love the blooms. Given the many cultivars offering a wide range of bloom colors, that ‘Purple Ribbons’ stands out is quite a statement. And though the purple, ribbon-like petals look delicate, they’re not - and will hold on through a few weeks of late winter weather. If you have a bit of patience left, waiting for spring emergence will reward you with large, medium green leaves exhibiting beautifully distinct veins and wavy edges. Fall color on witchhazels present quite a show and this lovely cultivar is no exception - expect a scrumptious yellowish-orange. If you have a spot with anything from full sun to partial shade, Hamamelis vernalis ‘Purple Ribbons’ is worth a go. Give it a bit of room though as it grows to about 10’ high and spreads to 10’ wide.