Witch Hazels (Royal Horticultural Society Plant Collector Guide) [Illustrated] [Hardcover]

Christopher Lane (Author)

Book Description

Series: Royal Horticultural Society Plant Collector Guide | Publication Date: January 24, 2005

Once discovered, witch hazels capture the hearts of gardeners who rank them among the best of all winter-flowering shrubs. Shrugging off several degrees of frost and a heavy weight of snow, their distinctive flowers held on bare branches cannot fail to light up a garden in the depths of winter. Yet, despite their attributes, only a small number are widely grown outside the gardens of enthusiasts. This book promises to change all that by turning the spotlight on these magical shrubs, highlighting their diversity and providing practical, comparative information that will thrill enthusiast and newcomer alike. The book starts with an introduction to the genus followed by detailed descriptions of the four species and their hybrids. These will be of immense value to gardeners as they consider distinguishing features and work out which will perform best for them. The book further aids identification by noting how local conditions can significantly affect plant characteristics including rate of growth, size of plant, leaf retention, and flower color. Cultural requirements and hardiness tolerance are clearly outlined, further ensuring success in the garden. This is the first attempt to authenticate and describe all known selections, varieties, and species in one text. It will be an invaluable resource for gardeners and collectors for years to come.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Witch hazels are one of the hardiest of winter-flowering shrubs. Lane begins with an introduction to the genus and then gives detailed descriptions of the four species and their hybrids. In each entry--and there are hundreds--Lane describes growth habit, foliage, and flowers, There are chapters discussing the development of hybrids, their propagation and cultivation, and companion plants. The book--with 144 delightful color illustrations, 2 line drawings, and 5 maps--will stimulate gardeners' interest in growing these colorful shrubs. George Cohen
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Review

"Has many details and photographs of numerous named varieties."
—Michael Martin Mills, Philadelphia Inquirer, March 11, 2005 (Philadelphia Inquirer )

"Constitutes the most up-to-date monograph on this valuable but often overlooked ornamental plant."
—Peter Kendall, American Rhododendron Society Journal, February 2006 (American Rhododendron Society Journal )

“The latest and most extensive reference. . . If anyone can coerce a gardener to think outside the season, it’s Lane. The book’s gorgeous photographs offer a close-up of flowers that often are passed by or go unnoticed.” (Jean Starr Northwest Indiana Times )

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 264 pages
• Publisher: Timber Press (January 24, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0881926787
• ISBN-13: 978-0881926781
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 7.2 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.7 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,448,865 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Comprehensive Guide for Collectors, less helpful for non-professionals, August 29, 2005

By 

Amy E. Menzer (Baltimore, MD) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Witch Hazels (Royal Horticultural Society Plant Collector Guide) (Hardcover)

Three stars seems too harsh, four seems a bit too generous...
This book is great as an encyclopedic listing of the numerous cultivars of witch hazel. He addresses the history of various cultivars and propagation techniques, and has a brief section on pruning (where he mentions keeping them to smaller size or training to a wall or fence for smaller gardens) which is very helpful. But unless you plan on developing a collection of several plants, this book might be better borrowed from the library (IF they have it...), because for example for my needs (one specimen to possibly 3) this book feels like a little more than I need, yet also less: he shows all the hybrids' flowers close-up, but he doesn't have many photos at all showing fall color or summer habit-- issues that are important considerations for me with a typical moderate-size suburban lot where I want to gauge placement (does summer habit preclude a prominent spot?) and get the most multi-season bang for the space it takes up. I feel a little guilty for buying this one.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Scientific tome......, June 29, 2005

By 

Dianne Foster "Di" (USA) - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Witch Hazels (Royal Horticultural Society Plant Collector Guide) (Hardcover)

WITCH HAZELS (Hamamelis) make good alternatives to Forsythia. These shrubs and small trees bloom in early spring, can be found in many colors and will stand up to relatively adverse conditions. Chris Lane has written a relatively scientific tome with sections on breeding, hybridizing and cultivation and a small section of color photos, but no associated illustrations with each Hamamelis types listed (you have to flip back and forth between the photos and the write-up). This book may not prove useful for beginners who prefer a picture of the plant and lengthy description. "Hands-on" experienced gardeners who can read will probably find almost everything they need to develop an interest in Hamamelis.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Right Book at the Right Time, February 17, 2005

By 

Jonathan M. Lehrer (NY/CT, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Witch Hazels (Royal Horticultural Society Plant Collector Guide) (Hardcover)

This book fills a gap in the literature and it arrives at a perfect time given the contemporary popularity of plants in the genus Hamamelis. The author provides an exhaustive review of witchhazels, including history, cultivars, important personalities and cultural/propagation information. His insights are derived from years of experience and reflect his true passion for these plants. Eminently readable, this book will be an asset to horticulturists of any experience level. The clear pictures and cultivar histories help sort out the nomenclature confusion that often plagues this group. No doubt this book will serve as the standard for years to come.