Hamamelis vernalis ‘Kohankie Red’ (Vernal 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.