Witch Hazel

• Scientific Name: Hamamelis x intermedia 
• Garden: Wildlife Garden
• Plant Type: Shrub
• Evergreen/Deciduous: Deciduous
• Sun/Shade Exposure: Full Sun or Part Shade
• Moisture Requirements: Moist, well-drained

Plant Information

This is a large group of Witchhazels created by breeding Hamamelis mollis with Hamamelis japonica. All varieties grow 12-15' tall and often wider. Sun-part shade, Zone 5. Common varieties of Hamamelis x intermedia include: ‘Arnold Promise’ yellow flowers with fall colors yellow, orange and red. 'Arnold Promise' has a more upright vase shape where other types have a graceful open habit. ‘Diane’ - dark red flowers with fall colors reds to purple. ‘Jelena’ - pronounced Helena - usually the first to open - coppery orange flowers with orange, red to scarlet fall color. ‘Orange Beauty’ Coppery orange flowers with orange, red to scarlet fall color. ‘Primavera’ Light yellow flowers with yellow orange fall color. ‘Sunburst’ Radiant yellow flowers with yellow fall color. Foliage: The leaves are alternately arranged, oval, 4-16 cm long and 3-11 cm broad, with a smooth or wavy margin. In fall most species perform a spectacular fall show of reds, yellows and oranges Flowers: Perfect, fragrant spider like flowers in winter. Hamamelis virginiana blooms in autumn before leaves fall. Each flower has four slender strap-shaped petals 1-2 cm long, pale to dark yellow, orange, or red. Size: 10-25’ tall depending on species - Hamamelis grows in an upright vase shape and is often wider than tall. It can be considered a small tree. Light: Full sun to partial shade Soil: Prefers moist well drained acidic soil, avoid extremely dry situations Disease: None serious Hardiness: Zone 3b to 8(9) Pruning: Prune after bloom; it is recommended to prune to guide growth, remove poorly placed branches and suckers from below the graft. Also, can be a favorite as a winter cut flower.

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