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18 AMATEUR GARDENING 2 JANUARY 2021
2 JANUARY 2021 AMATEUR GARDENING 19
Often scented, the distinctive spidery flowers appear on bare stems and really stand out in the winter garden. Along with shades of yellow, there are also oranges and reds Cast a spell with Witch hazels like ‘Orange Peel’ have impressive autumn leaf colour Witch hazel Enchanting flowers, potent perfume and great autumn leaf colour, all in one easy-to- grow package – it’s well worth making room for a Hamamelis, says Graham Rice IN nature, it’s all about survival, branches – sometimes from before selecting a variety for your plot. And which is why Chinese witch Christmas but mostly in January and bear in mind that they tend not to cast hazel (Hamamelis mollis) has February. Their shape is intriguing: each dense shade, which means that many developed the ability to fire its has four long, often crinkled, petals, plants will thrive beneath their canopy. seeds at a speed of around 12m per generally in shades of yellow – from second, propelling them a distance deep gold almost to primrose. There are Growing speed of up to 33ft (10m) before they land also reddish and coppery tones, plus Most are slow-growing at first, then on (hopefully) fertile ground. bicolours, but it’s the yellows that really speed up a little later – my 10ft (3m) make an impression. ‘Pallida’ (that’s 10ft now, 10 years after That’s not the only remarkable planting) grew 1ft (30cm) last year. Witch thing about witch hazel, however. The Distinct variations hazels rarely outgrow their space, but flowers are pretty special, too. In full Varieties differ in the strength of their if you do need to prune, do so right after bloom on a sunny winter day, they give fragrance: some are strongly scented, flowering, cutting back the previous off a sweet fragrance so potent that while others have no smell at all. So year’s shoots to two buds. you can smell it in the street, even choose carefully if fragrance is important before you see those distinctive to you. Autumn leaf colour varies, too – Their generally unfussy nature is spidery shapes. In fact, at its best, it’s impressive in some but can be another bonus. Although Hamamelis Hamamelis is one of the most exciting rather feeble in others. are perfectly happy in shade, they will multi-feature shrubs, offering an flower more prolifically in full sun. They unbeatable combination of flowers, There are also variations in the way rarely suffer from any pests or diseases, fragrance, autumn leaf colour and an witch hazels develop. While some are but are definitely not suited to soil that elegant shape. It’s easy to grow, too. upright in growth, some are much more becomes waterlogged in winter. What more could you ask for? spreading and others fall between the two. It’s worth considering this when One consequence of their slow Clusters of flowers line the growth, and the fact that they can only 20 AMATEUR GARDENING 2 JANUARY 2021
Wonderful witch hazels for... Flowers H. x intermedia ‘Barmstedt Gold’ AGM H. x intermedia ‘Diane’ AGM H. x intermedia ‘Pallida’ AGM Makes a strong, upright plant with months The best red-flowered variety, ‘Diane’ Stunning, light-up-the-garden sulphur of twisted, slightly crisped petals in rich has impressive autumn colour – red and yellow blooms open in December and yellow, toning to orange at the base. Also orange tones, eventually turning almost January, and carry a tantalising scent. offers attractive yellow autumn colour crimson. However, the scent is light. The autumn leaves are bright yellow; and a good scent. H: 111⁄2ft (3½m). Spreading growth. H: 8ft (2½m). growth is spreading. H: 10ft (3m). Fragrance H. x intermedia ‘Angelly’ AGM H. x intermedia ‘Vesna’ AGM H. mollis ‘Jermyns Gold’ AGM The primrose yellow flowers have a Flowers in warm marmalade orange The large golden flowers (opening from strong, sweet scent and open in open on vigorous, vase-shaped plants December to March) have an intoxicating February and March. Upright in growth, in January and February. The blooms fragrance. Plants are upright at first, then ‘Angelly’ makes a smaller plant than have a heavy, sweet perfume and there’s spread more. Features good yellow many witch hazels. H: 8ft (2½m). fiery autumnal foliage. H: (13ft) 4m. autumn colour, too. H: 10ft (3m). Leaf colour Everything H. x intermedia ‘Aurora’ AGM H. x intermedia ‘Jelena’ AGM H. x intermedia ‘Arnold Promise’ AGM Fiery red, orange and yellow leaf tints Flowers in a coppery orange – shading Lemon yellow, strongly scented flowers, sparkle in autumn on rather upright to red at the base in December and reliably fiery autumn colour and an plants. The flowers are strongly January – are followed by foliage that elegant, vase-shaped habit with great perfumed, and have bold yellow petals turns from orange to bright scarlet. branching – which means more twigs, that become reddish at their bases. Vigorous and vase-shaped, but with with more blooms… This variety really H: 111⁄2ft (3½m). no fragrance. H: 13ft (4m). does have it all. H: 10ft (3m). be propagated effectively by labour- Where to buy* intensive grafting, is that plants tend to be rather expensive. However, large Burncoose burncoose.co.uk 01209 860316 plants establish better than small ones, Junker’s junker.co.uk 01823 400075 so it pays to buy the biggest witch hazel Larch Cottage Nurseries larchcottage.co.uk 01931 712404 you can afford. After all, most gardens only need a single Hamamelis – but *Many nurseries are currently unable to send out plants – or despatch may be delayed. they’ll definitely benefit from having one. 2 JANUARY 2021 AMATEUR GARDENING 21
Why not grow with...? Snowdrops Hellebores The dappled shade beneath witch hazels suits snowdrops Available in a variety of colours, from dark, rich tones to pastel to a T. Plant them either in a broad drift of a single variety, or shades, along with pure white. Allow clumps of hellebores in clumps among spring perennials. Be sure to clear any to fatten up steadily so they can really show themselves off fallen witch hazel foliage before the snowdrops emerge. beneath the witch hazel flowers. Plant snowdrops in between. Clematis Hostas A witch hazel can provide support for summer-flowering For summer impact the bold foliage of hostas takes some viticella clematis such as ‘Venosa Violacea’ (above). Cut beating, and the choice of different shapes and colours the clematis almost to the ground in late autumn so that (and colour combinations) is truly astonishing. Some also old growth doesn’t obscure your witch hazel’s flowers. have good flowers, a few of which are even scented. Did you know? Growing knowhow The name witch hazel derives WITCH hazels are happy in most a slight mound as this will help to from the plant’s resemblance to hazel; the ‘witch’ part comes from soils except those high in improve drainage. a word meaning pliable. chalk; they appreciate Witch hazels can send These spring witch hazels (H. x intermedia and H. mollis) are good drainage and out suckers from their native to Asia and flower in winter and spring. The smaller-flowered hate winter wet. roots. Keep an eye out American witch hazel (H. virginiana) blooms in autumn. They’re surface for these (they grow The Hamamelis used medicinally rooting so the vertically from the for skin irritations comes from the leaves and bark of the American planting hole needs crown so they’re easy species. It has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. to be no deeper than to spot) and cut off any the pot, but four times If needed, prune you see – otherwise as wide. Fork over the after flowering to they will take over. base, do not add humus If you need to prune, but mulch with weed-free keep to size do so after flowering, cutting organic matter after planting. back the previous year’s growth to On heavy clay soils plant on a couple of buds. 22 AMATEUR GARDENING 2 JANUARY 2021
Ask John Negus John has been answering reader queries for 50 years Bladder nut or Staphylea Quick questions can be propagated via & answers seeds or cuttings How can I propagate this georgeous shrub? Q What is ‘organic matter’? Mark Russell, via email Q My neighbour has a beautiful period if the bag can be kept in the dark. bladdernut shrub that I’d like to For the cold period the bag of seeds A It is the term we use for propagate, but how do I go about it? manure, Deirdre Marrett, Kent can be placed in the fridge for the rest of kitchen the winter before the seeds are sown in peelings, A There are two ways to propagate March. Alternatively, sow straight away home made Staphylea. Seeds should be sown in pots that are kept in a coldframe, compost, in autumn as soon as they are ready protected from the worst of the weather. store-bought because they quickly dry out and lose compost, their viability. They need a period of Another way is to take cuttings in leaves, leaf warm stratification followed by cold. summer, just as the new growth is mould, grass starting to firm up but before it gets hard cuttings and Place seeds in a plastic bag with an and woody. This is straightforward and straw. They can all be equal amount of damp horticultural sand the cuttings should root easily in pots of used to feed and grow plants and and leafmould and seal it. gritty seed compost in a coldframe, as improve soil. long as the leaves don’t dry out. Store this for 4-12 weeks somewhere Compost and manure should with a temperature of 20-250C/69-770F. The new plants will benefit from some have rotted down well before use. The seeds won’t germinate during this winter protection for the first year before being planted out the following spring. Q Why have some plants in my greenhouse gone mouldy? Can I plant on the site of a dead tree? Alan Rentoul, East Kilbride Q We lost an apple tree and had to A It is because they are not remove it, leaving just the stump. getting enough air movement Would it be safe to plant a new tree close around their leaves. by and what is the best way to remove the stump? Open doors, vents and Gary Williams, via email windows on mild days (closing A Thank you for the attached images Remove the trunk and add them at night) of your apple tree’s rotting base. new soil before planting and make Thankfully, you have not found any sure plants rhizomorphs, so it appears that your expanding ties to secure trunk to stake. don’t touch tree did not succumb to honey fungus. If pot grown, support the tree by each other. Remove the I suggest now that you remove the inserting a stake at a 450 angle to the affected leaves. root system by hand digging or trunk to avoid the damaging roots. engaging a digger operator. Q Should I keep feeding plants If necessary, shorten the stake to just our in winter? Then, if feasible and no further below the crotch, where the tree’s Simon Ashton, via mail rhizomorphs are seen, fill the cavity with branching system starts. loamy soil and plant another apple tree. A It is not necessary as they are just ticking over and won’t be Ensure that you stake it securely using up nutrients. Wait until growth when planting. If bare rooted, insert the resumes in spring stake between the roots and use before feeding again. An 34 AMATEUR GARDENING 2 JANUARY 2021 exception would be any plants that are still in flower or citrus trees growing indoors.
While John sometimes advocates using chemicals against pests and Contact John Negus by email address below diseases as the most effective means of control, organic options are Email: [email protected] sometimes available and we advise readers to go with their preferences Help prevent black spot by removing all affected plant material Stopping black spot Eleocharis dulcis growing Q How can I prevent black spot from corms and, inset, a on my roses this year? floating Trapa natans Margaret Hutchins, Wincanton, Somerset Where do tasty water chestnuts grow? A When you prune your roses in late winter, make sure you remove any Q What sort of plants do ‘water chestnuts’ used in Oriental cookery grow on? Are material that has been affected by the they similar to our chestnut trees? fungal disease. Mr R Glitz, Kempston, Bedford Also clear up infected leaves that A There are two sorts of plants that Thailand in shallow marshes, lakes and have fallen onto the soil. produce water chestnuts. The most flooded fields. likely one found in Chinese dishes is Mulch your plants generously with Chinese water chestnut or ‘Matai’. The other water chestnut is a floating well-rotted manure or compost. Like aquatic plant. The ‘nut’ in this case is the many fungal diseases, black spot is This is a member of the sedge family fruit that follows on from its white flowers. spread through water splash and if the and it wouldn’t look too unfamiliar next spores are buried under mulch they to our native sedges. The water chestnut There are a number of species, each can’t be splashed onto the leaves. is the tuber from which the leaves with slightly different fruits but they all emerge, so it is very different from the have high levels of starch and protein. nut that falls off sweet chestnut trees in The Latin name is Trapa natans. autumn, and are roasted at Christmas. This is a food crop grown in China, The Latin name is Eleocharis dulcis Japan, Korea, Kashmir, India and and it is cultivated in China, Taiwan and Pakistan, but it is less likely you will find it for sale over here. Why did my butternut squashes rot? Pests and dry conditions can upset orchids Q My butternut squashes kept for most of last winter in a cool conservatory. This year however, they have all rotted around the stems after a couple Orchid concerns of months. Why? Alan Berry, via email Q My Cymbidium orchid has two flower spikes but its leaves are A It’s probable that your butternut squash yellow and dropping. What should I do? fruits rotted soon after harvesting Margie Kendall, via email because plants were debilitated by extreme A Your orchid may be resenting dry, drought in mid-summer and incessant heavy centrally heated air. Position it in light shade and feed with liquid orchid rain in autumn. I doubt very much if a fungal fertiliser fortnightly, March to October. Keep the compost damp but not soggy, disease was responsible. it should flourish. This year, if you didn’t do so last season, I also urge you to mist it several times a week with lime-free water. If there are I suggest that you liberally enrich the planting any signs of pests, wipe the leaves with a damp cloth then spray with a systemic site with well-rotted and moisture-conserving Squashes are less likely to insecticide such as BugClear Ultra. manure before sowing or planting. rot if fed and strengthened 2 JANUARY 2021 AMATEUR GARDENING 35 Then feed monthly, from late spring or early during growth summer into early autumn, with sulphate of potash. Potassium is an invaluable fertiliser nutrient that helps plants thrive and so better resist adverse conditions.
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