Hamamelis x intermedia Cyrille - Witch Hazel

The Hamamelis x intermedia 'Cyrille' is a selection of the Witch Hazel bush that is characterised by a beautiful spreading habit and a bicoloured flowering, straw yellow and rust. This deciduous bush has foliage reminiscent of hazelnut, with a slightly bright yellowish green colour, but does not display notable autumn colours. It will charm with its original flowers, which have a slight honey fragrance and appear from the end of winter. Witch Hazels are key elements in a winter scene in the garden.

The Hamamelis x intermedia 'Cyrille' is a Belgian horticultural creation by De Belder dating back to 2002. It is part of a group of hybrids resulting from the cross-breeding between Hamamelis japonica and H. mollis, which originate respectively from Japan and China. All these plants belong to the family Hamamelidaceae, which also includes Loropetalum and Persian Ironwood, for example. The 'Cyrille' variety forms a large bush, with an initially upright habit that then spreads and has ascending branches, reaching generally 3 m in all directions. Its deciduous foliage is composed of ovate leaves, initially yellowish green in spring, becoming medium green in summer, and turning yellow in autumn before falling. Its slightly fragrant flowers abound on the bare branches during the months of February or March, depending on the climate. Each flower is composed of numerous straw yellow petals with a rust base, elongated and curiously crumpled, almost claw-like like witch's fingers.

The Hamamelis intermedia 'Cyrille' thrives in humus-rich, slightly moist, light soils that are low in limestone. It will thrive in a bright semi-shaded exposure. Plant it as a standalone specimen in a small garden or plant snowdrops, spring crocuses, hellebores, and winter heathers around it, for example. It will also be magnificent in a shrub border, paired with an autumn camellia or a large rhododendron.