Early, Bright Blooms at the Arboretum

Now is the time to come visit the Scott Arboretum’s collection of witchhazels!
Many witchhazels are in full bloom and several are just breaking bud – the recent spell of spring-like weather helped pave the way for the fragrance to be wonderful as well. Not all witchhazels have scented blooms, but it only takes a few to release the scent into the air. The most fragrant of those open now is Hamamelis mollis ‘Early Bright’, a Scott Arboretum introduction.

The blooms of Hamaelis mollis 'Early Bright'. photo credit: J. Jenney

Althought I love the fragrance, the bright blooms arrive at just the right time in the winter when one is ready for something spring-like. I invite you to come see – and smell – this collection of fantastic late-winter-blooming shrubs. They will be in bloom for a few more weeks.

Right now the following plants are at their peak: Hamamelis mollis ‘Early Bright’, H. x intermedia ‘Primavera’, H. x intermedia ‘Jelena’, to name a few. I particularly recommend the excellent specimen of H. mollis ‘Early Bright’ espaliered in the Theresa Lang Fragrance Garden. The majority of the Scott Arboretum witchhazel collection is located behind Sharples Dining Hall and near the Faulkner Tennis Courts.

Hamamelis x intermedia 'Primavera'. photo credit: J. Jenney

Please join me on my tour titled “Witchhazels and Early Spring Blooms” on Saturday, March 7, at 1 p.m.