Hamamelis x intermedia 'WESTERSTEDE'

It is really funny to see that a plant, for an unknown reason, is suddenly labeled as POP plant, meaning currently IN FASHION (and what if no longer IN?? dig it out and call for Garden Vogue help to replace it with a new POP star?). Anyway, must say, there is something, and in fact quite a lot, about this witch hazel. Its main features are flowers that appear in mid to late winter and vivid colours of autumn foliage.

Westerstede is a German variety of witch hazel coming from Friesland. It has fringle-like, beautifully scented, bright yellow flowers that come out usually in the second half of February and continue blooming for as long as 6 weeks if March is not too hot. Leaves are similar to hazel, but larger and turn vivid yellow in autumn. Witch hazel is a beautiful shrub or a small tree of an open vase shape, growing to some 3-4m which is ideal for even a small garden. It is a garden-origin cross between Asian species h.japonica and h.mollis.

Soil has to be acidic to neutral, moist but well drained. With hazels will not tolerate lime. Do not prune older plants. Sunny location or light semi-shade is best. Fully hardy to about -29°C (USDA zone 5) but exposed sites are not recommended.

Last update 22-12-2008; 14-02-2011