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Hamamelis virginiana (Common witch hazel)

Photo/Illustration: J. Paul Moore

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Hardiness Zones:

Botanical Name: Hamamelis virginiana ham-ah-MAY-lis ver-jin-ee-AY-nah

Common Name: Common witch hazel Genus: Hamamelis

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.
Noteworthy characteristics: Good fall color and late-season flowers.
Care: Provide part shade to full sun and moist but well-drained, acidic to neutral soil in an open site. If the soil is deep and rich enough, Hamamelis can take alkaline soils. Pruning is minimal, if any.
Propagation: As soon as seeds are ripe, sow them in containers in a cold frame. Graft cultivars in late winter, or bud in late summer.
Problems: Gall aphids, leaf roller, scale insects, powdery mildew, leaf spots, wood rot.

Overview
User Reviews
Photos

Height	10 ft. to 15 ft.
Spread	10 ft. to 15 ft.
Growth Habit	Clumps
Growth Pace	Moderate Grower
Light	Full Sun to Part Shade
Moisture	Medium Moisture
Maintenance	Moderate
Characteristics	Native; Showy Fall Foliage; Showy Flowers; Showy Foliage
Bloom Time	Fall
Flower Color	Yellow Flower
Uses	Beds and Borders, Specimen Plant/ Focal Point
Style	Woodland Garden
Seasonal Interest	Winter Interest, Fall Interest
Type	Shrubs

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