January 27, 2019 – First Flower! It was so nice outside this afternoon that one of our Witch Hazel blossoms decided to stick its nose out for a little fresh air. May I introduce ‘Jelena’ (Hamamelis x intermedia 'Jelena'). The Witch Hazels are meant to be winter bloomers. On nice days they will start to open, and then retreat again in the cold – and in a few weeks they should start to flower in earnest. As they provide the first real splash of colour each year in the Historic Gardens, the Witch Hazels are always a treat! Their flowers are also some of the funkiest you will see as they unfurl their many tendrils.