Witch Hazel: Hamamelis

Only seven weeks to April 1st when the Holkham Walled Garden opens to the public and already there is new life emerging in the garden. This Witch Hazel was photographed on the 4th February flowering in the old nursery beds, it smelled spicy and looked beautiful against the evergreens.
There is a long history of witch hazel being used in medicinal practice. An interesting American website, Steven Foster Group,  charts the use of witch hazel by the different American Indian tribes and describes how it is made into preparations today. Good for piles apparently.