A tree in the family Hamamelidaceae...closely related to the witch-hazels...
Okay, it's really not the same, or all that similar
but it tolerates my alkaline soil, doesn't demand too much water, "flowers" in the very early spring, has cool bark, and decent fall color

Nothing against witch-hazels, mind you. I wish I could grow them here; they just don't like it, so I settle for the Parrotia.

Thanks for the article Neil!

I love Parrotia. Unfortunately they have or are playing around in what family it belongs to! I wish they would leave these things alone. One minute they change the name and the next the family, have they got nothing better to do!
Another very early and most beautiful flowering plant. More of them should be grown!
Kindest Regard from a rain lashed England.
Neil.

Neil, thank you for putting this together. My grandmother used Witch Hazel all the time -- almost as a cure-all topical remedy. And since I got used to it growing up I try to keep it on hand. In addition to a plain, unscented cold extract, Thayers has some lovely scented ones: lavendar and rose are my favorites. Our shepherd, Mother Katherine, keeps their special medicated one to use on the animals, as well as for things like insect bites. It really is the best.

But a question: are there any Witch Hazels native to Europe, or were they all brought over after 1492?

Dear M.R. There are no species of Hamamelis native to Europe. The three species Hamamelis ovalis. H. vernalis and H. virginiana are native to north America and so were not brought over there.
The other species H. japonica is Japanese and H. mollis came from China.
By crossing H, Japonica and H. mollis a nurseryman got Hamamelis X intermedia. This resulted in many cultivars which are available today!
Regards, please keep well and warm
Neil.

Man, you are just a fount of knowledge, Neil!

Edited to correct spelling, *sigh*!

dear Sheryl, not at all. My Horticultural training and career taught me about this amazing Genus of plants. Also being a Rugby player you often get hurt. Witch Hazel was often used to get the bruises and aches and pain, sorted out!
Regards from minus 5 F and icy now it flooded.
Neil.