Hamamelis vernalis Amethyst - Witch Hazel

Hamamelis vernalis 'Amethyst' is a rare cultivated selection of Witch Hazel. This deciduous bush forms a large rounded bush that first captivates with its original and fragrant flowers, a slightly faded old pink to purple tone, so abundant that they almost cover its branches with fluffy sleeves in late winter. It once again captures attention in autumn, when its grey-green hazel foliage turns strongly scarlet, taking on a fantastic appearance. This beautiful variety will bring life to the dormant garden in the cold, planted alongside other winter-flowering shrubs or coloured autumn foliage.

Hamamelis vernalis Amethyst is a horticultural variety introduced in 2003 in the United States, derived from Hamamelis vernalis. The latter is a large stoloniferous shrub native to the centre of North America, specifically the Ozark Plateau, which covers the states of Arkansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma. It is found on rocky slopes along the edges of watercourses. All these plants belong to the hamamelidaceae family, among which we find Loropetalum, Liquidambar, and Persian Ironwood. 'Amethyst' slowly forms a large, vigorous, bushy shrub with a rounded and branched habit, reaching an average of 2.50 m (8 ft 2 in) in all directions at maturity. Its deciduous foliage is composed of ovate leaves, 7 to 13 cm (2.8 to 5.1 in) long and 7 to 13 cm (2.8 to 5.1 in) wide, initially bronze in spring, becoming dark green-grey in summer, then turning coppery orange and flaming red in autumn. In this Amethyst variety, they persist on the branches for a long time before falling. Its fragrant flowers are just as delightful as its colourful foliage. They abound on the bare branches during the months of February and March, composed of elongated petals, a faded pink with lavender highlights, oddly wrinkled, twisted and almost claw-like.

Hamamelis vernalis Amethyst likes humus-rich, low-limestone, moist, light, or even rocky soils. It will thrive in full sun or partial shade. Plant it on the edge of woodland, in front of large trees, or in the back of a flower bed alongside Heuchera, Daphne, Pieris, Sarcococca, and the astonishing Garrya elliptica James Roof, in a milder climate. It will also be magnificent in a flower bed, associated with evergreen shrubs such as an autumn camellia or Chimonanthus praecox. At its base, you can plant winter heathers, Japanese grass, or hellebores.