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Hamamelis vernalis ‘Kohankie Red’ (Vernal Witch Hazel)

Witch Hazel 'Kohankie Red', Vernal Witch Hazel 'Kohankie Red', Ozark Witch Hazel 'Kohankie Red', Hamamelis vernalis 'Carnea', Hamamelis vernalis 'Carney', Hamamelis vernalis 'Boesger'

Hamamelis vernalis 'Kohankie Red', Witch Hazel 'Kohankie Red', Vernal Witch Hazel 'Kohankie Red', Ozark Witch Hazel 'Kohankie Red', Purple Flowers, Purple Witch Hazel,

Hamamelis vernalis ‘Kohankie Red’ (Vernal Witch Hazel) is a medium to large deciduous shrub with fragrant, reddish-purple flowers in mid to late winter. Each flower has 4 ribbon-like, curly, strap-shaped petals with dull purple calyces. Clustered along the leafless branches, the flowers unfurl their spidery petals on mild days. But on cold days, they curl up again and nearly close up to prevent damage from freezing temperatures. Upright when young, later spreading, this Vernal Witch Hazel sports broadly oval leaves, which emerge flushed bronze and mature to dark green before turning attractive shades of golden-orange and crimson in the fall.

  • This shrub has a spreading habit and grows up to 7-9 ft. tall (210-270 cm) and 8-10 ft. wide (240-300 cm)
  • A full sun to part shade lover, this plant is best grown in average, medium moisture, well-drained soils. Prefers organically rich, moist, acidic soils. Best flowering in full sun.
  • Mass in mixed shrub borders for dramatic winter blooms. Great flowering shrub for cottage gardens, rain gardens, woodland gardens, or as a screen and hedge. Perfect as a specimen plant.
  • Keep an eye out for caterpillars, Japanese beetles, leaf gall aphids, weevils, scale, leafroller, leafminer, and powdery mildew.
  • Deer: Witch hazel is generally considered deer-resistant due to its bitter taste and strong scent. However, it is important to note that deer browsing habits can vary depending on factors such as the time of year, availability of other food sources, and the specific population of deer in the area.
  • Promptly remove any suckers to prevent spread.
  • No regular pruning is required. Simply remove any dead, damaged, or weak shoots. Prune in spring after flowering if you need to control shape and size.
  • Propagate by simple layering of suitable shoots in spring, by grafting in late winter or by chip budding in late summer.
  • Hamamelis vernalis is native to the southern and central United States.

Witch Hazel: Plant Care and Growing Guide


Grow Witch Hazel with ease and enjoy the beauty of its spidery blooms in late winter to early spring.

Requirements

Hardiness 4 - 8
Heat Zones 5 - 9
Plant Type Shrubs
Plant Family Hamamelidaceae
Genus Hamamelis
Common names Witch Hazel
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Fall, Winter
Height 7' - 9' (210cm - 270cm)
Spread 8' - 10' (240cm - 3m)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Average
Soil Type Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained
Characteristics Fragrant, Showy
Tolerance Deer, Clay Soil
Garden Uses Beds And Borders, Hedges And Screens, Rain Gardens
Garden Styles Traditional Garden, Informal and Cottage
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Alternative Plants to Consider

Hamamelis x intermedia ‘Gingerbread’ (Witch Hazel)
Hamamelis mollis (Chinese Witch Hazel)
Hamamelis vernalis ‘Sandra’ (Ozark Witch Hazel)
Hamamelis x intermedia ‘Feuerzauber’ (Witch Hazel)
Hamamelis x intermedia ‘Savill Starlight’ (Witch Hazel)
Hamamelis x intermedia ‘Sunburst’ (Witch Hazel)

Recommended Companion Plants

Polygonatum odoratum ‘Variegatum’ (Solomon’s Seal)
Erica carnea ‘Springwood White’ (Winter Heath)
Cyclamen hederifolium (Ivy-Leaved Cyclamen)
Galanthus nivalis (Snowdrop)
Helleborus (Hellebore)
Crocus chrysanthus (Snow Crocus)

Find In One of Our Guides or Gardens

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Roots of Life: Exploring the Diverse World of Trees
Small Trees, Big Impact: Maximize Your Garden’s Potential
Spectacular Trees for Vibrant Fall Colors: A Gardener’s Guide
35 Flowering Shrubs That Thrive in Full Sun
40 Beautiful Native Shrubs for Shade
For the Love of Bees: Best Flowers to Attract them to Your Garden
How to Cultivate a Thriving Bee-Friendly Garden
Create a Garden with Great Winter Interest
Pretty Flowers for your Winter Garden
Hamamelis (Witch Hazel)
Best Companion Plants for Camellias
Witch Hazel: Plant Care and Growing Guide
While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.
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Requirements

Hardiness 4 - 8
Heat Zones 5 - 9
Plant Type Shrubs
Plant Family Hamamelidaceae
Genus Hamamelis
Common names Witch Hazel
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Fall, Winter
Height 7' - 9' (210cm - 270cm)
Spread 8' - 10' (240cm - 3m)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Average
Soil Type Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained
Characteristics Fragrant, Showy
Tolerance Deer, Clay Soil
Garden Uses Beds And Borders, Hedges And Screens, Rain Gardens
Garden Styles Traditional Garden, Informal and Cottage
How Many Plants
Do I Need?
Explore Great Plant Combination Ideas
Hamamelis (Witch Hazel)
Not sure which Hamamelis (Witch Hazel) to pick?
Compare Now

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