Black and Gold. A rare black hyacinth with double-early tulips, both fragrant. *Yes* to this combination again next year….
Porch palette: periwinkle and tangerine in glazed olive pots.
Meet Hyacinth ‘Dark Dimension’ snuggled up against this double-early yellow tulip. A nice addition to the Black Plant List.
Witch-hazel is a deciduous spring-flowering tree with fragrant fringe-like blossoms that appear on branches before the leaves emerge. Pictured: Hamamelis virginiana, a native to the eastern and central United States. This is another favorite under-story tree for the woodland garden, blooming mid-March here in Georgia, Zone 7B.
The botanical name Hamamelis comes from two Greek words: one meaning “apple” (signifying a fruit), and the other meaning “at the same time.” Flowers on the witch hazel are produced “at the same time” the previous year’s fruit is maturing and scattering seeds from its branches. As to the common name (witch hazel), the word “witch” is a derivative of an Old English word “wych,” denoting the term “to bend” because the branches of the witch hazel are pliable. The plant is not related to the hazel nut tree at all, but the leaves do have a similar appearance, thus the common name “witch hazel.”
Colonists and Native Americans used witch hazel for a number of maladies, particularly in the treatment of wounds, sore muscles, and abrasions. Today, plant extract from witch hazel leaves and bark is widely used in skin care products and is especially useful as an astringent. Cosmetically, it is used in the treatment acne, and medicinally for minor rashes, blisters and insect bites. Witch hazel is one of the few native medicinal plants approved by the FDA as a non-prescription ingredient in over-the-counter products.
Botanical Illustration for the Witch Hazel: Köhler’s Medizinal-Pflanzen.
More information about Witch Hazel as a medicinal element, here.
Two companion roses, both easily maintained as small shrubs. Talk about a color riot! Left: Coral Drift which boasts good winter hardiness; and right: Midnight Blue, which boasts a strong, spicy clove scent.
Visiting old garden friends: this deciduous Azalea is actually Rhododendron ‘Klondyke’ and is intoxicatingly fragrant. A wonderful shade garden specimen.
Magnolia soulangeana ‘Lennei Alba’ is a small deciduous tree with large white fragrant blossoms appearing in early February (or late January, if the winter is mild).
Another Paperwhite moment. These are from the batch that were fed alcohol.
Forcing paperwhites and amaryllis, favorite Christmas pastime.
Amaryllis and Paperwhites.
