witch hazel aka hamamelis

Always exciting to find the first hamamelis in bloom with its strange configuration in the flowers and its beautiful haunting scent.

 

I usually find them in Hilliers Gardens but now we have this one of our own, in a pot on the deck.

 

A little research for the origins of the name of this shrub gave me different answers but my favourite explanation is this:

 

.....the flexible forked twigs of witch hazel are preferred as divining rods. Regardless, modern witches do consider witch hazel a magical plant, to ward off evil and to help heal a broken heart. 'Hazel' because the plant's leaves resemble those of a hazelnut tree.

 

posting for Mittwochsmakro - Wednesday Macro

 

thank you for all visits, comments and faves, appreciated

Done