Witch Hazel
Hamamelis virginianaWitch Hazel Hamamelis virginiana Is a small aromatic tree or shrub that blooms in late autumn or early winter. The spreading branches have small yellow flowers with narrow, twisted petals that appear after the leaves have fallen. It prefers a sheltered, moist location similar to the understory habitat where it would naturally be found in the wild. Witch Hazel naturally occurs east of the Mississippi River from Canada in the North, to Florida in the south. Specimens have also been found in Texas as well.
The extract from the bark and leaves is mildly astringent and is used in cosmetics and toiletries. Folklore also has it that a Witch Hazel forked stick is the best choice for locating underground water.
The unique yellow flowers that bloom on bare branches creates winter interest in the garden when there is not much happening. » Read more about this plant  9 vendors have this plant for sale.
| Type of plant: Shrubs
Bloom color: Gold (Yellow-Orange)
Bloom time of year: Mid Fall, Late Fall/Early Winter
Sun requirements: Sun to Partial Shade
Cold hardiness: Zone 3a to Zone 8b
Height: 8-10 ft. (2.4-3 m), 10-12 ft. (3-3.6 m)
Spacing: 10-12 ft. (3-3.6 m), 12-15 ft. (3.6-4.7 m)
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occidentalis
(ok-sih-den-TAY-liss)The term is generally accepted to refer to anything from the west. 'Occident' is the name that European explorers gave to anything pertaining to the New World, as opposed to the Orient referring to people and things from the far east.
Platanus occidentalis is the botanical name for the American Sycamore tree. Europeans were familiar with the London Plane Tree Platanus x acerifolia and gave the New World tree with similar bark the specific epithet occidentalis or, "from the west." Visit Botanary for more botanical words, their meanings and pronunciation help. | |
This Week's ArticlesMonday, December 14, 2009  | Holly and ivy are familiar plants in the landscape and have traditionally been used to adorn homes during the winter holiday season. Although they lend their names to a Christmas carol, their significance to humans predates Christianity by thousands of years.
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 | While visiting home garden centers, and even some grocery stores in the holiday season, one might espy a small, symmetrical conifer being offered as an indoor Christmas tree, often already sparsely decorated, ready to go on the dining table or another prominent location in the home. These are usually Norfolk Island Pines (Araucaria heterophylla) and are sold by the thousands every November and December as living Christmas trees. Most are destined to die or be thrown out soon after the holidays, either due to ignorance or apathy. But with the proper care they can be kept healthy and made to last for many subsequent holiday seasons, almost becoming part of the family and a holiday tradition.
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Sunday, December 13, 2009  | And here we come again with those amazing plants that instead of growing a trunk or stem enjoy clinging to trees and bushes in order to grow; vines and creepers are back on Dave’s Garden!
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 | Cookie Night
By Kathleen M. Tenpas (Kathleen) Several years ago when our two daughters were becoming involved in activities outside the family, we decided to institute Cookie Night on the first Saturday night of December. The four of us would make, bake, frost and sample several batches of cookies, the bulk of which would be distributed to friends and family. We’d play Christmas records, make home made ice cream and spend at least this one evening together as a family.
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Saturday, December 12, 2009  | "You Supply The Caption" photo is a fun opportunity for Readers. A gardening related photo will be presented, and you, the Readers, will provide humorous captions. The wit available on Dave's Garden is some of the best around, so please join in the fun! This feature is not a "for compensation" article - just a way of saying Thanks for reading. Hope you enjoy...now let's hear some funny stuff!
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 | Arabis and Aubrieta are well-known to most gardeners as rock cress or wall cress. These mustard relatives are wonderful plants for the rock garden as well as other places in the garden. Read to to learn more.
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 | "Nature made a fern for pure leaves." Henry David Thoreau. [1] The handsome foliage of ferns has long been a favorite of florists in cut flower arrangements, retaining their rich green color long after the flowers have faded. The Christmas Fern is no exception, with its similarity to Boston Fern, the distinctive lance-shaped, leathery fronds add an elegant, long-lasting addition to any holiday arrangement.
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Friday, December 11, 2009  | We've all heard of sugarplums; they're part of Christmastime, right? They dance in children's heads, or do they dance in ballets? Let's unravel the confusion surrounding this historical sweet, and try to discover the true sugarplum, both in history and today . . .
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 | Now is the time of year that for many people, thoughts turn to gift giving. In my family, we celebrate Christmas with an exchange of thoughtful gifts that do not necessarily cost a great amount, but instead may be hand crafted, or tailored to each person’s interests. The thought and care involved in choosing the gift is often more valuable than the actual item
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Thursday, December 10, 2009  | This is the time of year when thoughts turn to colder weather. Gardens (and gardeners) hunker down for the coming winter. Outbreaks of cold air swoop down from the Arctic, that land of perpetual ice and snow...
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 | In the Norse myth of the mistletoe, the trickster god Loki plotted against the bright god Baldr, whose mother Frigg had solicited an oath from every thing of earth, of sea and of sky, that they would not harm her son. However, Loki saw that the mistletoe was rooted, not in earth or sea or air, but in the bark of the oak tree, and thus not covered by Frigg's oath. He fashioned it into the weapon that slew Baldr, "the greatest evil ever to befall gods or men." This tale reflects the parasitic nature of the mistletoe, which sends its roots into a host tree and takes its nourishment from it.
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Wednesday, December 9, 2009  | I love Christmas! But what I like best is decorating the Christmas tree... and the sound of carols, and the smell of Christmas goodies ...yummy! Santa Claus is on his way (that is me, of course!) But I just have to wait until everyone is asleep, so I can put the gifts under the tree!
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 | Growing up in the sandhills of northwest Florida, I was blessed to have the freedom to roam the woods. One of my favorite places to walk was a stand of longleaf pines on the west side of our property. An uninterrupted stroll through a stand of longleaf pines, the piney woods to old-time southern folks, is a true pleasure.
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Tuesday, December 8, 2009  | Nutmeg
By Sharon Brown (Sharran) It was the subtle scent of nutmeg that pulled me in like quicksand and made my mouth drool just like a hungry puppy. If I had lived a few hundred years before, I could have grated my own nutmeg and sprinkled it on every cake and donut that my mother made.
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 | The choices are many when it comes to buying that all important centerpiece of the decorated Christmas holiday home. Artificial, live potted and cut trees can be found in all sizes, price ranges and even colors.
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Blooms of the Day | Bloom of the day for December 08, 2009 |  | Orchid Tree
(Bauhinia purpurea)Type of plant: Tropicals and Tender Perennials
Bloom color: Magenta (Pink-Purple), White/Near White
Bloom time of year: Mid Fall, Late Fall/Early Winter, Mid Winter
Sun requirements: Sun to Partial Shade
Cold hardiness: Zone 9a to Zone 11
Height: 20-30 ft. (6-9 m)
Spacing: 12-15 ft. (3.6-4.7 m)
Submitted by shane0z on January 10, 2008 |
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| Bloom of the day for December 09, 2009 | |
| Bloom of the day for December 10, 2009 |  | Viper's Bugloss
(Echium vulgare)Type of plant: Biennials
Bloom color: Magenta (Pink-Purple), Medium Blue, Blue-Violet
Bloom time of year: Late Spring/Early Summer, Mid Summer, Late Summer/Early Fall
Sun requirements: Full Sun
Cold hardiness: Zone 3a to Zone 11
Height: 24-36 in. (60-90 cm)
Spacing: 12-15 in. (30-38 cm)
Submitted by garygardener on April 03, 2005 |
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| Bloom of the day for December 11, 2009 |  | Queen’s Tears
(Billbergia nutans)Type of plant: Tropicals and Tender Perennials
Bloom color: Pink, Rose/Mauve, Coral/Apricot
Bloom time of year: Mid Spring
Sun requirements: Sun to Partial Shade, Light Shade
Cold hardiness: Zone 10a to Zone 11
Height: 18-24 in. (45-60 cm)
Spacing: 9-12 in. (22-30 cm)
Submitted by Happenstance on March 18, 2004 |
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| Bloom of the day for December 12, 2009 |  | Bomarea
(Bomarea kalbreyeri)Type of plant: Tropicals and Tender Perennials, Vines and Climbers
Bloom color: Red-Orange, Bright Yellow
Sun requirements: Full Sun, Sun to Partial Shade
Cold hardiness: Zone 9a to Zone 11
Submitted by Kell on August 23, 2009 |
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| Bloom of the day for December 13, 2009 |  | Poison Bulb
(Crinum asiaticum)Type of plant: Bulbs, Perennials, Shrubs, Tropicals and Tender Perennials
Bloom color: Pink, Rose/Mauve, Magenta (Pink-Purple), White/Near White
Bloom time of year: Mid Spring, Late Fall/Early Winter, Blooms repeatedly
Sun requirements: Full Sun, Sun to Partial Shade, Light Shade, Partial to Full Shade
Cold hardiness: Zone 9a to Zone 11
Height: 36-48 in. (90-120 cm)
Spacing: 24-36 in. (60-90 cm), 36-48 in. (90-120 cm)
Submitted by debnes_dfw_tx on July 04, 2006 |
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| Bloom of the day for December 14, 2009 |  | Corkscrew Vine
(Vigna caracalla)Type of plant: Tropicals and Tender Perennials, Vines and Climbers
Bloom color: Pink, Pale Yellow, Violet/Lavender, Cream/Tan
Bloom time of year: Mid Summer, Late Summer/Early Fall
Sun requirements: Full Sun
Cold hardiness: Zone 9a to Zone 11
Height: 15-20 ft. (4.7-6 m)
Spacing: 9-12 in. (22-30 cm), 36-48 in. (90-120 cm)
Submitted by Gerris2 on September 30, 2006 |
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