An ‘Admiration Point’ in the rethunk front meadow at Windcliff, Oct 21st, 2025
I’ve been spending much too much time in conversation with myself, discussing in depth my overall brilliance while walking the garden together in late afternoon light while later terrifying young children in the dark before offering them a small bar of chocolate-flavored wax. In between I’ve been pointing out to neighbors that, unlike them, I am rather intelligent. Opportunities abound in October.
‘The Last of Us’. An interpretive dance performed by Hamamelis x intermedia ‘Jelena’ while being eaten alive by its own rootstock, Hamamelis virginiana.
For example. Consider stopping by next door to happily reveal that the witch hazel they had planted three years ago has been corrupted by graft and incompetence which, you continue, is sadly mirrored by a confederacy of charlatans and crooks selling bibles, tennis shoes and bitcoin to clueless sheep. (You need not include the commentary; as a rule, I always stick clear of politics) You may explain that the red and orange flowering cultivars are the easiest to spot ( they possess a corresponding autumnal color that even common people like themselves can readily see) and that even the cultivars with golden autumn color will generally give themselves up by turning earlier or later and often with a differing size and texture than the foliage of the rootstock.
The unprepossessing flowers of Hamamelis virginiana appear in November and December, making it the last or first flowering plant of the northern temperate zones of North America. The appearance of these flowers is another way to determine if your witch hazel has been ‘infected’…
The devil from down under is Hamamelis virginiana, the common witch hazel native to eastern North America and the rootstock of choice for grafting witch hazels in the nursery industry. Suggest to the kindly folk that they set down the 3pm negroni and immediately take up arms to remove the growth of the rootstock as far down as they can. You will remind them that, yes, it will regrow next spring but that they will be smarter by then as they have just started taking Prevegen.
You might attempt to explain to them that if they wait for another month, the undesirable rootstock will actually be in blossom and they COULD wait until then to remove the growth from the rootstock and bring the stems inside for a wee dash of early winter fragrance in a vase. But you know in your heart of hearts that they truly have absolutely no idea what you are talking about and will in all likelihood cut the wrong part out if they do anything at all which they probably won’t. They have already asked you if you would like a negroni.
Hamamelis x intermedia ‘Aphrodite’ blossoming late January at Windcliff; like ‘Jelena’, it undresses in brilliant tones of orange and red which echo its flower color.
Most of the world seems to be melting in madness, so am finding myself at times ashamed that I am privileged to enjoy the smack and piquancy of autumn in my garden, and even enjoy luxuriously long conversations with myself, while living things die needlessly by the political calculus of tyrants and monsters. Yet closer in, the architecture of spider webs, the vocalizations of migrating loons on the Salish Sea, or hummingbirds fattening on fuchsias before the first freeze, is enough to understand that the injuries we have brought upon us are just specks of dust amidst a nebula of future stars.
DJH 10/24/25
Windcliff Plants (updated inventory here) is available to visitors by appointment Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays (which can easily be scheduled by emailing windcliff2@centurytel.net ). If you are visiting for a specific plant, please ask regarding its current availability prior to your visit. Additionally, a selection of our plants are for sale exclusively at Heronswood, Ravenna Gardens of University Village in Seattle, Crazy Hill Gardens and Botanicals in Belfair and Bay Hay and Feed on Bainbridge Island.
Care For a Small Barge?
I will be hosting a tour through the spring gardens of The Netherlands and Belgium from April 28th to May 7th, 2026, through the inimitable agency of Earthbound Expeditions. With only 30 people on a small yet very comfortable barge, we will navigate the canals and locks of these lowland countries while exploring nearby horticultural gems at the height of spring bulb season. This is going to be fun! And you only unpack your bags 1 time!!!!! www.earthboundexpeditions.com
Hello Daniel,
To cut to the chase, I am receiving duplicate newsletters from you. Although not a big issue for me, I don’t know what kind of financial or time consuming penalties you may be paying. But please don’t get overly enthusiastic and delete them both.
I thoroughly enjoy your wordsmithing….especially the current newsletter espousing your obvious superiority to your island neighbors!
Several years ago, under the guidance of Earthbound Expeditions, my Master Gardener group from here in frigid upstate NY Rensselaer County, visited your paradise. I expected an intolerable plant snob but instead you and Joe welcomed us with Prosecco and raspberries. Your garden is etched in my memories. You had so much patience as we zone 5 folks marvelled at your property (yeah, I know, we can grow tomatoes….heard that one over and over with scant comfort!).
Heronswood was just getting back on its feet and you brought us over there to witness the miraculous transformation under your guiding hand with the Native Americans.
Please, keep being you….and keep entertaining us with your garden adventures!
Thank you for your newsletter. Love hearing from you always.
I took the trip to the Netherlands several years ago with Timmy Gallagher. I visited the Floriade, Aalsmeer flower auction, Keukenhof and many private gardens. Absolutely the best trip!!!
DH you rock and you plant. You are absolutely fabulous. And yes, a PLANT SNOB and so what is so wrong with that! I prefer you that way.
From one plant snob to another, I really love what you do.
Hyacith Bucket (it’s Bouquet!) sends her upper class regards from her Royal Garden in heaven.
Keep on.