Category: witch hazel

Witch hazel

CatherineLeave a comment

I staked out a claim to part of the lawn today for a shrubbery. Actually, this witch hazel went into the hole where the smoke bush didn’t make it. Hopefully, this beautiful little plant will have better luck. It’s one of our purchases from Wild Seed Plants. Three more to plant here, and one at camp.

Witch hazel, Hamamelis virginiana

Tree and bush planting

CatherineLeave a comment

My order from Fedco Trees arrived. There is urgency to get these bare-root trees planted.

  • Ten raspberry canes – in the fruit yard
  • A New England aster, a witch hazel, and a spicebush – in pots for now
  • An American smokebush – in the yard in front of the rockpile
  • Five hazelnuts – in an arc with the crabapple in the center

Finished with the first three and one hazelnut. We still have four hazelnuts to plant. It’s taking some time. Scraping the hole with the tractor. Removing the rocks. Replacing the soil (very sandy fill) and supplementing with leaf mulch to ensure the hole is full. Topping off with pieces of sod upside down. Thoroughly watering in. It’s satisfying to see them in the ground.

Raspberry canes barely visible in front bed. Grapevines in background, chicken coop/tool shed at right.
New growth, Polana raspberry
Potted up. From left, witch hazel, spicebush, New England aster
Tractor really helps dig the hole. We learned the hole should be wider rather than deep.
Sam putting final touches on the American smokebush.
American hazelnut planted