Genus Hamamelis (Witch hazel)

Hamamelis virginiana Photo/Illustration: J. Paul Moore

ham-ah-MAY-lis

Common Name: Witch hazel

Witch hazels are vigorous small trees and shrubs with sweet-scented red, orange, or yellow flowers. Bloom time ranges from fall to late winter, and lasts up to a month, depending on the species or cultivar. Despite their wispy, twisted, ribbonlike appearance, flowers are remarkably durable, tolerating temperatures in the low 20s for several days. Native to Asia and North America, this genus contains five species and close to 100 cultivars.
Noteworthy characteristics: Fragrant flowers in fall to late winter.
Care: Prefers moist but well-drained, loamy, acidic to neutral soil in full sun to partial shade. Plant in spring or fall and give them plenty of room, since they can reach up to 15 feet in height and width. Prune after flowering but before summer to allow next year's buds to form. Flowering is most profuse when grown in full sun. Protect from deer.
Propagation: Graft cultivars in late winter, or bud in late summer.
Problems: Gall aphids, leaf roller, and scale insects, powdery mildew, leaf spots, and wood rot.

Species, varieties and cultivars for genus Hamamelis

Hamamelis × intermedia 'Arnold Promise'
(Witch hazel) Be the first to rate this plant

Hardiness Zones:

This vase-shaped, deciduous shrub, up to 12 feet tall and wide, has ascending branches and bright green leaves that turn yellow in autumn. It produces large yellow flowers in mid- and late winter on the bare branches. A cross between H. japonica and H. mollis.

Hamamelis × intermedia 'Pallida'
(Witch hazel) Be the first to rate this plant

Hardiness Zones:

There are few better winter displays than the blossoms of 'Pallida' witch hazel. Bright green leaves line its flaring branches in spring and summer. After a display of yellow fall color, the plant shows its distinctive branch structure. Around the end of December, clusters of buds begin to open into spidery, pale yellow flowers. These cover the branches until early March, giving off a rich, fruity perfume. This small tree or large shrub grows up to 12 feet tall and wide.

Hamamelis mollis
(Chinese witch hazel) Be the first to rate this plant

Hardiness Zones:

This witch hazel is an upright shrub up to 12 feet tall and wide, with oval, softly hairy, mid-green leaves that turn yellow in autumn. Fragrant flowers are yellow, with crimped petals, appearing on bare branches in mid- and late winter.

Hamamelis mollis 'Pallida'
(Witch hazel) Be the first to rate this plant

Hardiness Zones:

This vase-shaped deciduous shrub grows up to 12 feet tall and wide, with ascending branches and bright green leaves that turn yellow in autumn. Clusters of sulfur-yellow flowers appear in mid- and late winter.

Hamamelis virginiana
(Common witch hazel) Be the first to rate this plant

Hardiness Zones:

The native common witch hazel is an understory plant that becomes leggy if it has to reach for light, but in the open, it develops into a graceful, spreading shrub about 20 feet tall. Its broad leaves turn a clear, bright yellow in the autumn. The abundance of pale yellow fall flowers that accompanies the foliage comes as a wonderful late-season surprise. The deceptively fragile-looking blossoms that appear near the end of October seem to keep winter at bay for weeks.