Witch Hazels

by Christopher Lane and Christopher Lane

Once discovered, witch hazels capture the hearts of gardeners who rank them among the best of all winter-flowering shrubs. Shrugging off several degrees of frost and a heavy weight of snow, their distinctive flowers held on bare branches cannot fail to light up a garden in the depths of winter. Yet, despite their attributes, only a small number are widely grown outside the gardens of enthusiasts. This book promises to change all that by turning the spotlight on these magical shrubs, highlighting their diversity and providing practical, comparative information that will thrill enthusiast and newcomer alike. The book starts with an introduction to the genus followed by detailed descriptions of the four species and their hybrids. These will be of immense value to gardeners as they consider distinguishing features and work out which will perform best for them. The book further aids identification by noting how local conditions can significantly affect plant characteristics including rate of growth, size of plant, leaf retention, and flower color. Cultural requirements and hardiness tolerance are clearly outlined, further ensuring success in the garden. This is the first attempt to authenticate and describe all known selections, varieties, and species in one text. It will be an invaluable resource for gardeners and collectors for years to come.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0881926787
• ISBN13: 9780881926781
• Release Date: January 2005
• Publisher: Timber Press (OR)
• Length: 227 Pages
• Weight: 1.75 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 7.2" x 9.3"

Customer Reviews

Exactly as promised.

If you're as enchanted as I am with the idea of a tree that blossoms in the dead of winter--maybe it's a Buffalo thing--you'll appreciate this book. All the ins and outs of current witch hazel species available. Be prepared to convert meters to feet, though, when estimating height and spread.

Comprehensive Guide for Collectors, less helpful for non-professionals

Three stars seems too harsh, four seems a bit too generous... This book is great as an encyclopedic listing of the numerous cultivars of witch hazel. He addresses the history of various cultivars and propagation techniques, and has a brief section on pruning (where he mentions keeping them to smaller size or training to a wall or fence for smaller gardens) which is very helpful. But unless you plan on developing a collection of several plants, this book might be better borrowed from the library (IF they have it...), because for example for my needs (one specimen to possibly 3) this book feels like a little more than I need, yet also less: he shows all the hybrids' flowers close-up, but he doesn't have many photos at all showing fall color or summer habit-- issues that are important considerations for me with a typical moderate-size suburban lot where I want to gauge placement (does summer habit preclude a prominent spot?) and get the most multi-season bang for the space it takes up. I feel a little guilty for buying this one.

Right Book at the Right Time

This book fills a gap in the literature and it arrives at a perfect time given the contemporary popularity of plants in the genus Hamamelis. The author provides an exhaustive review of witchhazels, including history, cultivars, important personalities and cultural/propagation information. His insights are derived from years of experience and reflect his true passion for these plants. Eminently readable, this book will be an asset to horticulturists of any experience level. The clear pictures and cultivar histories help sort out the nomenclature confusion that often plagues this group. No doubt this book will serve as the standard for years to come.