Witch hazel - gorgeous but do any of them have a decent bit of scent?

[shushkin!]

I think witch hazel are fab looking shrubs at this time of year.
Actually they seem to flower for about 3 months if conditions permiit.

My problem though is that I want one that has a decent bit of scent.
I think they say Hammemelis mollis is the best for scent but I'm darned
if I can detect it (even with the warmth of a bit of sun!).
I already have a Daphne, Viburnham bodnantense
and Lonicera fragrantisima which all have gorgeous smelling flowers
at the moment and are making all the early bees very happy indeed!

What are others experience of witch hazels and scent?

p.s. please forgive the awful spelling!

[VirginVegGrower]

I have the lemon yellow one and a deeper gold. They are beautiful for scent. The red one "something fire" is a disappointment.
I also have an Edgeworthia papyrifera, a beautiful shrub tree (2x2m) that has bees and butterflies all over it, when the flower heads are out. I too have the viburnum that you have, "Dawn" - another that gives great fragrance. There are several other varieties that give great scent, less stature. Same with daphnes, different shades of colour. The winter honeysuckle is a staple in my garden too. As is the Clematis Montana, which has a scent to it too, but flowers in summer.
How about Wintersweet or Sarcococca "Christmas Box"? I also rate the scent from Mahonia, the yellow grape flower with spiky glossy green leaves. All are good for wildlife but the latter gives berries for you or the birds.
Hope this helps!

[donnakebab]

I didn't know Witch Hazel was supposed to have a scent. I thought it was something for cleansing skin and helping to diminish bruises. Love the smell of distilled Witch Hazel. I have one in my garden. I will sniff it when it flowers, the next time I am collecting fresh supplies to replenish my broom. Actually, should have already done this. Going out there now, sun is shining and birds are singing, cats asleep on the sofa. will report back.

[VirginVegGrower]

Hamamelis (witch hazel) / Royal Horticultural Society

[donnakebab]

Well obviously it's too early for flowers but I have collected a substantial amount of broom material or pea sticks. Will check out the scent later in season. I'm trying to think how long ago I planted it. It could be between 15 and 20 years ago.

[VirginVegGrower]

Hamamelis is in flower now DK.

[Gearoid]

If you want one, the best thing would be to go to a good garden centre and have a good sniff of the different varieties now they're in flower. I'm usually disappointed by the scent of hazel though, I find it a bit too faint to bother with and sometimes even unpleasant.

[shushkin!]

Sniffing round the garden centre

If you want one, the best thing would be to go to a good garden centre and have a good sniff of the different varieties now they're in flower. I'm usually disappointed by the scent of hazel though, I find it a bit too faint to bother with and sometimes even unpleasant.

Yep, thats just what I did yesterday. The only cultivar with any scent to speak
of was H mollis "Pallida". The scent is definitely enhanced with some warmth
from the sun.