Hamamelis intermedia 'Ruby Glow' | 3 Litre Pot | 40cm - 50cm Height

Hamamelis intermedia ‘Ruby Glow’ offers a spectacular display, bringing much-needed colour and fragrance to the garden during the often-dreary winter months.

This striking deciduous shrub, commonly known as Witch Hazel, provides exceptional ornamental value, particularly through late winter and early spring. As a hybrid, Hamamelis intermedia ‘Ruby Glow’ was carefully bred to combine the best traits of its parent species, specifically *H. mollis* and *H. virginiana*. Its name ‘Ruby Glow’ aptly describes the rich, coppery-red hues of its unique winter blooms, which truly glow against the grey backdrop of winter. It makes an excellent feature plant in any UK garden.

Key Features of Hamamelis intermedia ‘Ruby Glow’

• Stunning coppery-red, spidery flowers provide winter interest.
• Delightfully fragrant blooms emerge on bare branches.
• Foliage transforms into vibrant autumn colours before falling.
• Forms an elegant, vase-shaped shrub with an appealing structure.
• Relatively low maintenance once established in the garden.

Detailed Description of ‘Ruby Glow’ Witch Hazel

The botanical name, Hamamelis, derives from Greek words meaning ‘at the same time as fruit’, a reference to some species flowering whilst still bearing fruit from the previous year. The ‘intermedia’ part indicates its hybrid nature. This particular cultivar, ‘Ruby Glow’, distinguishes itself with its captivating flowers. Each bloom features slender, ribbon-like petals, often crinkled or twisted, which unfurl to create a delicate, spidery appearance. These flowers appear generously from late December right through to March, offering a vital source of visual and aromatic pleasure when few other plants are in bloom.

Beyond its winter spectacle, Hamamelis intermedia ‘Ruby Glow’ also provides excellent seasonal interest in autumn. Before dropping, its large, oval leaves undergo a beautiful colour transformation. They shift through shades of vivid yellow, warm orange, and fiery red, thus adding another layer of beauty to the garden landscape. This makes it a multi-season performer, providing value from winter to autumn. Therefore, many gardeners cherish this plant for its changing appeal.

This Witch Hazel cultivar develops into a medium to large shrub, typically forming an open, vase-shaped habit. Gardeners often use it as a standalone specimen plant, allowing its distinctive form and seasonal displays to take centre stage. It also fits well within mixed borders or woodland garden settings, where its winter flowers can truly shine. Minimal pruning is usually necessary, primarily focusing on removing any dead, damaged, or crossing branches after flowering has finished. This helps maintain its attractive shape and ensures healthy growth. While not a primary bee plant, its early flowering can sometimes provide a small, welcome nectar source for early-emerging pollinating insects during milder winter spells.