Hamamelis x intermedia ‘Jelena’

Hamamelis x intermedia ‘Jelena’ Flower (08/02/2015, Kew Gardens, London)

Position: Dappled shade or full sun

Flowering period: Late winter

Soil: Moist, well drained

Eventual Height: 4m

Eventual Spread: 4m

Hardiness: 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b

Family: Hamamelidaceae

Hamamelis x intermedia ‘Jelena’ is a large shrub/ small tree with a ‘v’ shaped habit. The light green alternate leaves emerge from short-stalked buds. The leaves are elliptic to nearly circular in shape, irregularly toothed along their edges and become a coppery orange in autumn. Some of the autumn leaves are retained on this tree through the winter months. Its fragrant flowers appear in clusters and are copper/red. Its petals are long, thin and crinkled. The fruit is a two part capsule, 1 cm long, each containing a single 5 mm glossy black seed. It is usually grafted onto the rootstock of one of the other species of Hamamelis.

Hamamelis x intermedia is a hybrid between Hamamelis mollis and Hamamelis japonica. The leaves and bark of the shrub contain an astringent which reduces inflammation of blood vessels. The plant extract also called Witch hazel is thus used in many lotions for treating bruises and insect bites.

The etymological root of the binomial name Hamamelis is derived from the Greek amamelis meaning ‘a tree with pear like fruits’. Intermedia is derived from the Latin inter menaing ‘between’ and medius meaning middle, in reference to this hybrid being between its two parents in terms of characteristics. Jelena was named after the wife of Robert de Belder – the de Belder family of Belgium are responsible for many Hamamelis cultivars.

Hamamelis x intermedia ‘Jelena’ is useful to the landscape architect as a compact specimen tree, particularly for dappled shade locations. It has attractive autumn leaf colour and colourful fragrant flowers which appear during the winter months. This shrub prefers the protection of other plants.

Ecologically, Hamamelis x intermedia ‘Jelena’ is valuable as it attracts members of the Lepidoptera which includes butterflies and moths.

Hamamelis x intermedia ‘Jelena’ (08/02/2015, Kew Gardens, London)

The Royal Horticultural Society have given Hamamelis x intermedia ‘Jelena’ their prestigious Award of Garden Merit.

Hamamelis x intermedia ‘Jelena’ prefers moist, fertile, well-drained soils. It tolerates most pH of soil, although it prefers neutral to acidic soils.

Hamamelis x intermedia ‘Jelena’ needs little maintenance and will not require pruning so long as it is planted with sufficient space and does not interfere with surrounding plants.