Hello,
I am interested in adding some witch hazels to my garden, mostly with the goal of having some fragrance in winter. I am wondering if Chinese witch hazel (Hamamelis mollis) could tolerate Toronto winters? I haven’t seen it available in any local nursery.
If not, I’m wondering if any of the master gardeners could recommend or comment on the relative fragrance of varieties that I have seen for sale in Toronto? (e.g. Hamamelis x intermedia ‘Pallida’ or ‘Jelena’ or ‘Diane’ or ‘Arnold Promise’ or ‘Barnstedt Gold’? and whether anyone could comment on the relative fragrance of some of these compared to Hamamelis vernalis?
Any thoughts would be appreciated.
Thank you,
Witch hazels can be a wonderful addition to a garden. Below is a link showing different varieties that may be suitable to a Toronto climate. The most fragrant appears to be the Chinese Witch Hazel.
https://www.gardendesign.com/plants/witch-hazel.html
Depending on where you are located in Toronto you may have success growing this plant.
Although it is a long list, I have attached a list of nurseries and greenhouses in Ontario. This may help is establishing who carries witch hazel, the varieties, the degree of scent and which plants may be most suitable to your garden.
https://listingsca.com/ontario/biz2biz/greenhouses/
We wish you every success in making a choice that will provide much pleasure and a lovely scent.