Hamamelis mollis "Pallida" (Witch Hazel) changing colour ..

this witch hazel heralds the magic yet to come in this garden .. it was planted about twelve years ago by my friend, and gardening mentor, phil .. i have an old photo that shows phil standing beside this beauty .. he is taller than the tree .. he had no idea that it would become this large and expansive .. "a vigorous specimen," as he would say .. and every year this awesome tree goes through this lovely transformation as it wends its way toward flowering during winter months .. she is the first of many delights in phil's winter flowering shade garden ..