Have you met Hamamelis vernalis? …also known as Ozark Witch Hazel? Several of these woody shrubs live on our church grounds, one in front of the building and a few out back. Each year, they are the first of our native plants to bloom, even before spring arrives! On warmer winter days (January-March) they can be seen unfurling strap-like flower petals, offering nectar to several different insect species who assist with pollination. Just as our own species, Homo sapiens, displays variety from one individual to the next, some of these open-pollinated shrubs have red blooms and others have yellow.

The photos below zoom in on the flowers and make them easy to see. But in the real world, it takes an effort to find them since they do not shout at passers-by as they stand in place wearing their tiny-flowered branches. If you are particularly adept with scent, you may find them by smell. But mainly you just have to walk around and look. Or maybe find a human friend who can introduce you.

Once you have met the Witch Hazels, you can look forward to their amazing, slow-and-subtle, long-lasting display in the midst of winter, each new year.

Submitted by Carol Arnold for the Grounds Team.

Carol Arnold and Patty Daus are the Grounds Team Co-Chairs. If you are interested in participating on the Grounds Team and the beautiful work they do for our church, email the team.