Hamamelis virginiana

Common Names

Witch Hazel, Common Witch Hazel, American Witch Hazel, Virginian Witch Hazel

Summary

Native to eastern North America, Witch-Hazel is a deciduous shrub or small tree with a dense, multi-stemmed habit, typically about 15–25 ft tall and 15–20 ft wide, with zig-zag twigs and smooth gray bark, leaves are alternate and oval to obovate with wavy margins, green in summer and turning yellow in fall, from October to December fragrant yellow flowers with four slender petals appear, followed by brown seed capsules that explode to eject two black seeds up to 30 ft away, hardy in USDA zones 3–8, it tolerates full sun to full shade and moist, well-drained soils, including acidic or organic-rich types and even heavy clay, best flowering occurs in full sun with minimal pruning, in landscapes it suits shrub borders, screens, or informal hedges, and provides wildlife value since seeds are eaten by birds, Witch-Hazel extract is obtained from its bark and leaves, propagation is by seed sown in a cold frame (germination may take up to two years) or by layering in autumn

Lifecycle

Perennial

Height

20-30 feet

Spread

15-20 feet

Hardiness Zones

Zones 3-8

Sunlight Requirements

Ideally full sun to full shade, partial sun or partial shade also acceptable

Soil Type

Moist, well-drained soil, acidic to neutral pH (4.5–6.5), rich in organic matter

Soil Drainage

Moist, well-drained soil.

Soil pH

4.5-6.5, acidic to neutral, not tolerant of alkaline soils

Bloom Color

Yellow

Bloom Time

Fall

Foliage Color

Green in summer, turning yellow in fall

Fall Foliage Color

Yellow, golden-yellow, gold/yellow to orange in fall

Leaf Lifecycle

Deciduous

Growth Rate

Very slow growth; about 4–12 inches per year

Seasons of Interest

Fall and Winter

Propagation Methods

Seeds, Cuttings, Layering

Attracts Wildlife

Attracts birds, attracts pollinating insects (flies, wasps, bees)