Yesterday, going through Van Dusen Gardens (37th and Oak) here in Vancouver, I saw witch hazel shrubs in blossom for the first time ever. There is very little blooming in the gardens at this time of year, and so the clear 
yellow of the witch hazel flowers stand out in even greater contrast against the green of the conifers and the naked limbs of the deciduous trees.
When I was a teenager looking for my first facial care products and cosmetics, I came across witch hazel and bought it for its astringent qualities. It could shrink the pores in my face – great for a teenager!
Yesterday I learned two more things about witch hazel – Hamamelis virginiana. It is very pretty, the flowers coming out in late winter, ahead of the leaves. And it smells glorious!
We walked around a corner and instantly saw the yellow witch hazel trees standing out against the greenly blending backdrop, but the scent was what hit us. I’d love that scent in a bottle! Fresh – exciting – hinting of hidden treasures.
Maybe someday someone will have the resources to bottle the scent of witch hazel. What will they call it? Hamamelia heaven?!
Best of health, naturally,
Nina