When trees and flowers start to burst into colourful blossoms after a long, cold winter, we all start to feel alive again. In these rather cold, snowy days of February, spring still seems a long way off, but you need not wait that long for some colour therapy – just head to the Kalmthout Arboretum’s Hamamelis Festival.
Hamamelis is the Latin name for the shrub we know as witch hazel. The different varieties featured at the Hamamelis Festival are prized for their ornamental value; they produce flowers with long, delicate petals in spectacular shades of yellow, red and orange throughout the winter. This off-season flowering is possible because witch hazel plants have adaptive, anti-freeze properties, and on very cold days, they roll up their flowers.
The plant’s common name was given by North American colonists to Hamamelis virginiana (the common North American species) both because of its resemblance to hazelnut trees and its “bewitching” habit of flowering in the wrong season. That particular variety flowers in the autumn.
Hamamelis virginiana has a long history of being used medicinally, starting with the American Indians. The plant is known for its astringent and anti-inflammatory properties, and it’s still commonly used today to treat a variety of ailments, from acne to varicose veins.
The development of witch hazel worldwide is largely due to the efforts of the Kalmthout Arboretum, established in 1856 at the edge of Antwerp province on the border with the Netherlands. It holds the oldest and largest collection of witch hazel on the continent. The arboretum has long been creating crosses between witch hazel plants and propagating particular characteristics such as hardiness, colour and scent.
Kalmthout’s witch hazel collection is unique in that is not pruned or clipped, which allows you to see the plant in its natural state. The arboretum is organised in what director Abraham Rammeloo describes as an “aesthetic arrangement.” A “Hamamelisroute” signposted throughout takes you on a beautiful and leisurely stroll through the garden’s grassy paths.
Along with witch hazel, you can expect to see other flowering plants in February, including hellebores and snowdrops. These two flowers are also part of the festival, and special events have been going on for each. While the hellebore activities have come to an end, on 27 and 28 February, galantophiles (snowdrop collectors) will descend on the arboretum for Snowdrops Weekend, which includes an exhibition, lectures and a plant sale that includes rare species.
The 12-hectare arboretum, most of which is currently closed for the winter, also contains an exceptional array of other plants and trees, including 60 trees that are considered “national champions” in Belgium due to their size. When spring really gets here in mid March (I say optimistically), the full arboretum re-opens, and you’ll soon enjoy the blooming of rhododendrons and cherry trees. It’s worth returning in the summer to see the butterfly garden. The arboretum hosts a number of activities, including concerts and picnics, to highlight the flora of every season.
Besides the hundreds of species of trees and plants at Kalmthout Arboretum, it’s equipped with a gift shop, restaurant and loads of activities. During the Hamamelis Festival and Snowdrop Weekend, there are free guided tours in Dutch at 14.00 on Sundays that feature the winter flowering plants. Group tours in English can also be arranged.
In wet weather the grassy paths of the arboretum can be a little muddy, and dogs are only allowed if on a (short) leash.
The arboretum is very convenient to access by public transport. On weekends, trains to Kalmthout from Antwerp and Brussels run every hour. Once you’re at the Kalmthout station, it only takes a couple of minutes to walk to the arboretum entrance.
Hamamelis Festival
Until 28 February
Snowdrop Weekend
27-28 February
Kalmthout Arboretum
Heuvel 2, Kalmthout
Flanders Today is a 
-10°C / -1°C
