All Hallows Day

Hamamelis mollis

Witch-hazel for Halloween - yesterdays child had I but noticed it. Of course Halloween is the eve of All Hallows Day or All Saints Day. Here witch comes from Middle English wiche, meaning pliable or bendy. Extracts from the plant (mostly from its bark) have a number of positive medicinal uses so perhaps its does belong on All Saints Day rather than Halloween.

It's a great shrub or small tree for the garden, open habit, scented flowers in early spring and great autumn foliage.