14 THE BOOK OF THE WINTER GARDEN 



says : '' There is something witch-like in the appearance 

 of the witch-hazel, which blossoms late in October and 

 November, with its irregular angular spray and petals 

 like fairies' hair or small ribbon streamers. Its blossom- 

 ing, too, at this irregular period when other shrubs 

 have lost their leaves as well as blossoms, looks like 

 witches' craft. Certainly it blooms in no garden of man's." 

 It does now, however, flowering from December (some- 

 times earlier) onwards. 



An Enduring Winter Flower 



is H. japonica arhorea^ certainly the finest of the well- 

 known witch-hazels. Expanding its blossoms in January, 

 these remain in perfection for many weeks, and are 

 apparently indifferent to frosts. It is the best of winter 

 flowering shrubs for open planting. The curly petals 

 are bright yellow, while the centre of the flower is a 

 deep claret colour. Rises after many years to a height 

 of 1 8 feet or more, but the shoots of quite small plants 

 are frequently studded over their entire length with 

 clusters of the charming flowers. 



The typical H. japonica^ with lemon-coloured petals, 

 and its other variety Zuccariniana^ paler, are well worthy 

 of a place. The Chinese H, mollis^ first introduced to 

 England in 1 879, but only lately distributed, promises 

 well. Its petals are not twisted to the same extent as 

 the preceding, only the tips being turned. The foliage 

 of these plants is not unlike that of the hazel. The 

 Chinese and Japanese witch-hazels are propagated by 

 spring grafting, using young plants of H. virginica as 

 stock, these being easily raised from seed and estab- 

 lished in pots. 



CoRNUs Mas 



is rather an ugly little shrub when young, but a luxuriant 

 plant flinging its twiggy branches over a not too shaded 



