HAMAMELIS X INTERMEDIA 'JELENA'
This vigorous and deciduous witch hazel hybrid of Japanese and Chinese parentage becomes a wide-spreading, arching shrub with age. Loved for its abundance of orange, coppery flowers, made of narrow, ribbon-like, crinkly petals, and for its subtle citrus fragrance from late winter into early spring. Viewed from a distance, it glows like copper in the wintery sun. Its broad-oval leaves turn a magnificent orange-red in autumn. AGM*.
Height and spread 4m × 4m in ten years.
Origin H. japonica and H. mollis hybrid.
Conditions Moist, acid to neutral, organically rich, well-draining soils; full sun to part shade.
Hardiness RHS H5, USDA 5a-8b†.
Season of interest Late January – March for flowers; September – October for autumn colour.
Andrea Brunsendorf is head gardener at Lowther Castle & Gardens in Cumbria
