Current Plant Highlights
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February
Hamamelis x intermedia 'Jelena'
Hamamelis x intermedia
Cornus sanguinea
Cornus sericea
In February life returns to the landscape as sap begins to flow and the earliest flowers bloom. Following are some examples of what the visitor can find at this time of year.
Each year the witchhazels (Hamamelis species) bring promise of spring. Their unusual and colorful petals unfurl while most other plants are still deep in dormancy. While the Hamamelis taxa vary in some attributes, all have flowers with ribbon-like, crinkled petals that can be likened to thin strips of crepe paper. Though they appear fragile, they can withstand cold, ice, and snow. When temperatures dip to extremes, the petals coil up like a spring, unrolling when temperatures rise.
Hamamelis vernalis, the vernal witchhazel, is first to bloom, often as early as January and continuing into February. The pungent flowers range in color from yellow to orange to red. However, because the plant holds its old leaves through the winter, the flowers are often hidden. This native shrub is rounded in habit and can reach 6 to 10 feet in height, with a slightly greater spread. A very large, old specimen is located immediately to the west of Meadow Road, by Rehder Pond.
Hamamelis x intermedia is a hybrid cross between H. japonica (Japanese witchhazel) and H. mollis (Chinese witchhazel) that was discovered at the Arnold Arboretum in 1928, although not named and described until 1944. It is an upright shrub, loosely branched and spreading, 15 to 20 feet in height. Most cultivars bloom between January and March, and the following taxa can be seen on both sides of Meadow Road in the area of the Wolcott Bed, which is identified with a small, brass plaque.
The flowers of 'Jelena', also known as 'Copper Beauty', appear copper-colored from a distance, but close inspection shows the petals to be multicolored, changing gradually from red at the base to yellow at the tip.
'Diane' has a copper-red flower with a purple-red base and a subtle fragrance. It has a tendency to hold its old leaves into winter. For best flower display, the old leaves must be removed.
'Feuerzauber', also called 'Magic Fire', 'Fire Charm', and 'Fire Cracker', bears very fragrant, orange-red flowers.
An Arnold Arboretum introduction, 'Arnold Promise', is one of the best yellow-flowered cultivars of Hamamelis x intermedia. Its clear yellow blooms are lightly fragrant and often last from mid February into March. An especially beautiful specimen of 'Arnold Promise' is located immediately to the south and slightly forward of the Hunnewell Building.
Salix alba, the white willow, is a Eurasian native that has long been cultivated along ponds and river edges. Beginning in February, the young stems and branches turn bright yellowish-green, a welcome sight during late winter months. Two types are often cultivated and admired for their twigs: the bright yellow of variety vitellina and bright red to orange of 'Britzensis'. Several examples of the species grow in the wet meadow to the east of Meadow Road.
Cornus sanguinea, bloodtwig dogwood, does not flower until summer, but it produces young stems of deep red and green at this time of year. A selection known as 'Wisley Form' has red to orange stems that glisten in the sunlight. Fine examples of the species and of 'Wisley Form' can be found growing along the edge of Willow Path and near the Bridle Path, behind the linden collection.
Cornus sericea, also known as Cornus stolonifera, is the commonly grown red osier or red-twigged dogwood. True to its common name, it bears admirably bright red stems. The white flowers in early summer and the whitish fruits in late summer are also ornamental. The many selections of this species include 'Flaviramea', which has bright yellowish-green stems and is one of several selections known collectively as yellow-twig dogwoods. Examples of both red- and yellow-stemmed dogwoods can be found along Faxon Pond, just to the east of Meadow Road.