Early Blooming

Early Blooming
Originally uploaded by Ontario Wanderer

This Witch Hazel (Hamamélis de Virginie) is blooming way too early. It should start around the end of September or early October. Last year I found it in bloom on August 29 and was amazed. This year I found it on August 14.

That being said, I have also found it blooming way too late in past years. Several years ago, while walking on a windy, -20 degree, snowy day in February, I found a witch hazel blooming with the petals vibrating in the winds of winter.