Hamamelis (Witch Hazel)

Why Should I Grow a Witch Hazel Plant?

There are several reasons why growing hamamelis can be a rewarding addition to your garden:

Unique flowers: Witch hazel is prized for its distinctive, fragrant, and colorful flowers. The ribbon-like petals add a touch of beauty and interest to your garden during cooler months when many other plants are dormant.

Pollinator support: The flowers provide a valuable source of nectar and pollen for pollinators like bees and flies during the cooler months when other food sources may be scarce. Incorporating hamamelis into your garden can help support local pollinator populations.

Easy to grow: Witch hazel is a low-maintenance plant that is relatively easy to grow. It is hardy in USDA zones 3 to 8, depending on the species and cultivar, and can tolerate a range of soil types.

Versatile landscaping uses: Witch hazel can be used in various garden settings, including mixed borders, foundation plantings, woodland gardens, and as a focal point. Its unique appearance and adaptability make it a valuable addition to many landscapes.

Winter interest: Witch hazel adds much-needed color and interest to the garden during the colder months, brightening the landscape when many other plants are dormant.

Overall, growing hamamelis in your garden can provide visual interest, support pollinators, and offer low-maintenance beauty throughout the year.

Hamamelis Popular Species

Hamamelis virginiana (Common or Virginia Witch Hazel), a North American native, is quite cold-hardy (Zones 3-8) and rich with a sweet and intoxicating fragrance. Blooming in the fall, it creates a spectacular show with its bright yellow flowers on display at the same time as its bright green leaves are turning golden-yellow. It grows with an oval to round form and will reach up to 25 ft (7-8 m).

Hamamelis mollis (Chinese Witch Hazel) is the most fragrant of all Witch Hazels but is less hardy (Zones 5-8). One of the earliest to flower, it features a profusion of fragrant, bright, yellow flowers with red centers in late winter to very early spring. Its downy, dark green leaves turn orange and yellow in fall. Wide-spreading, it grows into a vase-shaped large shrub or small tree, up to 15-20 ft. tall (4.5-6 m).

Hamamelis x intermedia, is a vigorous and popular hybrid Witch Hazel born from the cross between Hamamelis mollis and Hamamelis japonica. These hybrids offer a wider range of flower colors (orange, red, pink, purple, yellow), more compact sizes, and a lovely selection of fall foliage colors that contrast nicely with their bright green summer leaves. They bloom from late winter to very early spring.

Hamamelis vernalis (Vernal, or Ozark Witch Hazel), a native to Missouri and Arkansas, is renowned for its intensely fragrant, though smaller-sized flowers. Blooming in very early spring, it can form dense, multi-stemmed colonies by sending out suckers. The medium green leaves turn a striking golden yellow in fall. It is more tolerant of higher pH soils than Hamamelis virginiana and grows well in poorly drained clay soils.

Hamamelis japonica (Japanese Witch Hazel), a native of the mountainsides of Japan, is noted for its slightly fragrant pale yellow flowers, which bloom for up to 4 weeks, attractive green summer foliage, and fall colors in shades of yellow, red, and purple. Grows with an upright, open, rounded habit, up to 10-15 ft. tall (3-4.5 m).

Hamamelis Growing Tips

Growing witch hazel successfully requires attention to a few key factors. Here are some tips to help you cultivate healthy and thriving plants:

Site selection: Choose a location with well-draining soil and partial to full sun exposure. Although hamamelis can tolerate some shade, better flowering and growth occur when the plant receives ample sunlight.

Soil: Witch hazel prefers slightly acidic to neutral soil (pH 4.5 to 6.5) that is rich in organic matter. It can tolerate clay soil, but good drainage is essential to prevent root rot. If your soil is heavy or poorly drained, consider amending it with compost or organic matter to improve its structure and drainage.

Planting: Space plants according to their mature size, usually about 10-15 feet (3-4.5 meters) apart, to ensure proper air circulation and prevent overcrowding. Dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball and just as deep. Place the plant in the hole, making sure the top of the root ball is level with the soil surface. Fill in the hole with soil, gently firming it down, and water thoroughly to settle the soil.

Watering:  Witch Hazel prefers consistent moisture but does not like to be waterlogged. Water the plant deeply and regularly during the growing season, and reduce watering in the winter when the plant is dormant.

Mulching: Apply a 2-3 inch (5-7 cm) layer of organic mulch, such as bark chips, pine needles, or compost, around the base of the plant to conserve moisture, regulate soil temperature, and suppress weeds. Be sure to keep the mulch a few inches away from the trunk to prevent rot and pest infestations.

Pruning: Witch Hazel does not require heavy pruning but can benefit from occasional shaping and thinning to maintain its size and shape. Remove any dead, damaged, or diseased branches, as well as any that are crossing or rubbing against each other.

Fertilizing: Witch hazel generally does not require heavy fertilization. However, if your soil is lacking in nutrients, you can apply a slow-release granular fertilizer designed for trees and shrubs in early spring, following the manufacturer’s recommendations.

Pest and diseases: Witch Hazel is generally a disease-resistant plant, but it can be susceptible to a few pests and diseases, including powdery mildew and root rot.

Deer: Hamamelis is considered moderately to highly deer-resistant. While no plant is entirely deer-proof, witch hazel is generally not a preferred food source for deer, and they tend to avoid browsing on it. However, it is essential to note that if other food sources are scarce, particularly during harsh winters or periods of drought, deer may still browse on witch hazel plants out of necessity. The level of deer resistance can also vary depending on local deer populations and their specific feeding habits. In areas with high deer pressure, it is still a good idea to employ additional deer deterrent methods, such as fencing or repellents, to further protect your witch hazel and other plants in your garden.

By following these tips, you can successfully grow witch hazel in your garden and enjoy its unique flowers and beneficial properties.

Garden Design with Witch Hazel

Witch hazel can be a striking addition to any garden design due to its unique and colorful flowers, which bloom during the cooler months when many other plants are dormant. Here are some tips and ideas for incorporating witch hazel into your garden design:

Focal point: Witch hazel’s distinctive flowers make it an excellent focal point in the garden. Plant it in a prominent location where its blooms can be easily admired, such as near a seating area, along a walkway, or near a window.

Mixed borders: Witch hazel can be combined with other shrubs, perennials, and grasses in mixed borders to create a dynamic and layered planting scheme. Choose companion plants with contrasting foliage and bloom times to ensure visual interest throughout the year. Good companions include evergreen shrubs, ornamental grasses, and perennials like hostas, ferns, and astilbes.

Woodland garden: Witch hazel can be integrated into a woodland garden design, where it can thrive under the dappled shade of taller trees. Combine it with shade-loving perennials, such as trilliums, bleeding hearts, and hellebores, to create a serene and naturalistic setting.

Foundation planting: Use witch hazel as part of your foundation planting to add color and interest near your home’s entrance or along the front of your house. Combine it with other evergreen and deciduous shrubs to create a visually appealing and low-maintenance landscape.

Wildlife-friendly garden: Witch hazel flowers provide a valuable source of nectar and pollen for pollinators like bees and flies during the cooler months. Incorporate it into a wildlife-friendly garden alongside other pollinator-friendly plants to support local biodiversity.

Winter interest: Witch hazel’s late-winter to early-spring bloom time adds much-needed color and interest to the garden during the colder months. Combine it with other plants that offer winter interest, such as evergreens, trees or shrubs with colorful bark, and early-flowering bulbs like snowdrops, winter aconite,  and crocuses.

By incorporating witch hazel into your garden design, you can create a visually captivating landscape that showcases this unique and valuable plant.

Click here to compare all Witch Hazel varieties