Hamamelis x intermedia 'Diane' - (Witch Hazel)

Common name: Witch Hazel 'Diane'

Description: This outstanding cultivar is considered by many to be the finest red-flowered witch hazel, offering an unforgettable display during the darkest months of winter. From late winter through to early spring, when few other plants dare to flower, the bare stems become covered in masses of spidery, ribbon-like flowers in rich copper-red to burgundy shades. The flowers have a sweet, spicy fragrance that carries on milder days, and are remarkably frost-resistant, often shrugging off severe cold that would damage other winter bloomers. The flowering display can last for several weeks, providing invaluable colour and interest when the garden is at its most dormant. In autumn, the large, rounded leaves transform into spectacular shades of orange, red, and burgundy before falling, providing a second season of interest. The architectural vase-shaped habit creates excellent structure year-round.

Other benefits: winter flowering, sweetly fragrant blooms, spectacular autumn colour, architectural form, long-lived, low maintenance

Wildlife attraction: bees, early pollinators, winter-active insects

Height & spread (approx.) at 10 years: 2.5m x 2m

Position: full sun to partial shade; flowers and autumn colour best in good light with some shelter

Soil pH: prefers neutral to acidic conditions; dislikes very alkaline soils

Moisture: moderate watering required; prefers consistently moist but well-drained soil; benefits from mulching to retain moisture

Winter hardiness: very cold hardy to -25°C