Customer Reviews

Witch Hazels (Royal Horticultural Society Plant Collector Guide)

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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.

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.

If you're as enchanted as I am with the idea of a tree that blossoms in the dead of winter--maybe it's a Buffalo thing--you'll appreciate this book. All the ins and outs of current witch hazel species available. Be prepared to convert meters to feet, though, when estimating height and spread.