Sunday, November 29, 2015

Witch hazel, flowers in winter!

On a brisk chilly walk today, I remembered the witchhazel bush I spotted last year, and included it on the walk to see if it was in flower.  And it was. I love witchhazel for flowering at the most unpromising time of the year.  Early this year, too.  Usually I pick a sprig or two in January, and as it warms in the house, it scents the air.





So here's this year's sprig, in glass pebbles in water, along with peppermint from the patio.  And the other container has parsley.  t
They rooted in water so they may keep going for a while.  

Herbs need the hot sun to move the aromatic oils about and give that scent off, but they have a pale version of it indoors, too.  In the background you see the Russian sage, out in front of the window, now dozing off and ready to be trimmed back before we get snow.

4 comments:

  1. I love witch hazel, but never thought of bringing it in and did not know it would scent the air in the house! Thanks very much for this info; I'll have to try it. I was just thinking today that I should probably set up a series of amaryllis bulbs and get the first one planted NOW, then plant another every couple of weeks. So that when real Winter gets here, I will be attitudinally protected by an increasing and cumulative colorfulness.

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  2. I love WH, too!
    Do you know the lovely song about it? By Tom Gala...
    "I am looking at a witch hazel blooming in a garden
    bright yellow flowers in the middle of wintertime
    and I tell heart, be strong like the witch hazel flower
    and you will not be injured by this dark and troubled time.

    I take myself along to a place a know in winter
    south-facing slopes all covered with ice
    and I tell myself, this all will melt and run down to the ocean
    and you will not be injured by this dark and troubled time.

    We must say good-bye those we love, say good-bye to many
    And we must say good-bye in much too short a time,
    and I tell my heart, be strong like the witch hazel flower
    and you will not be injured by this dark and troubled time."

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  3. Wonderful contributions! Quinn if you have those big leaf begonia you see in a number of my pix, they give sprays of pink blossom in Jan and Feb. Also Crown of Thorns blooms in winter, tiny deep pink flowers.

    And Mare that's exactly why I love witchhazel!

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  4. And flowering quince as well, with its delicious shade...

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