The team were working this week in a garden in Virgina Water, Surrey and we suddenly noted a rather nice smell, looked around and our client had a beautiful looking witchhazel or Hamamelis mollis. This got us thinking about the gardens and sites we visit and how there must be a plant of the week which might be a nice feature for "blog" so I'll get the ball rolling with the wichhazel.
What we liked about it was that it flowers in winter which is usual and makes it stand out from the rest of the bare stems that one sees in a garden at this time of the year, it also adds a lot of sweetly scented aroma in the air which I can't think of anything else that does that at this time of the year. The leaves although not that impressive most of the year turn a yellow/reddish colour in the autuwn adding some more seasonal interest to ones garden. One of our chaps did wonder if a twig could be cut off and placed in the house to scent out a room making the growing of this plant very eco-friendly as this would save the purchase of scented air fresherers, just a thought!
The plant is best located near a pathway that one is going to walk along on a regular basis so the scent and colours can be enjoyed so long as the plant has enough sun, grown in fertlie moist soil. Its a plant that takes time to mature so perhaps not one for the client who wants the instant effect.
Funny what you notice in the garden, even one that you visit on a weekly basis and how a garden can throw up a surprise or two, just thought of another nice scented plant that flowers at this time of the year, the rather lovely Daphine!
If you need advice on plants for your garden, we are alwas here to help, check our web pages for details on how to contact us and we are also looking for another good member to join our team!
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