Hamamelis: It just wouldn’t be winter without it.

This lovely late-flowering shrub is a joy to behold – yellow (there’s also red), spidery blooms on leafless branches make it one of the most eye-catching of plants at this time of year. And if the flowers aren’t enough, there’s a hint of fragrance and the leaves also turn red and gold in autumn. Witch hazel likes a sunny spot in a rich soil just a bit on the acidic side. Grow it in alkaline soil and it will sulk, producing very few of those outrageous flowers.