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Article: Winter and Witch Hazel; Sweetly-Scented Blossoms Brighten a Cold Day
- Article from:
- The Washington Post
- Article date:
- January 26, 1989
- Author:
CopyrightThis material is published under license from the Washington Post. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Washington Post. (Hide copyright information)
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People who grow a witch hazel shrub in their yard never seem to
be able to get over the surprise that it blooms in February-even in
January, if the weather is mild enough.
There are as yet no leaves on the smooth, light brown twigs, but
the masses of petals-oddly shaped, curled-up ribbons twisting their
way out of a hub in every direction-are in their full glory. The
color of the most popular varieties is a lively yellow, which is
cheery against the dormant grass and barren trees of winter. The
scent is always sweet, and seems strong in the cold, sharp air.
Blooming witch hazel is an early sign that winter is about to
break. Some varieties such as the vernal witch hazel (Hamamelis ...