Alphabetical Plant Listing

Hamamelis virginiana (Virginian Witch Hazel)

Virginian Witch Hazel, American Witch Hazel, Snapping Hazel Nut, Spotted Alder, Winter Bloom


Noted for its fantastic fall attributes, Hamamelis virginiana (Virginian Witch Hazel) is an erect large, deciduous shrub or small tree, with sweetly-scented, pale yellow flowers in fall and early winter. Each flower consists of 4 golden ribbon-like, slightly-twisted, crinkled petals. Clustered along the arching branches, the flowers emerge when you least expect them and may linger on the branches into December. This Witch Hazel sports smooth, broadly oval leaves, which open light green before turning dark green. They turn brilliant golden yellow shades in the fall. Smooth gray bark, handsome architecture, colorful fall foliage, and floral splendor make Hamamelis virginiana a great addition to the landscape. Virginian Witch Hazel is the species from which medicinal witch-hazel extract is made.

  • Grows up to 15-20 ft. tall and wide (450-600 cm).
  • A full sun to full shade lover, this plant is best grown in average, medium moisture, well-drained soils. Prefers organically rich, moist, acidic soils. Tolerates heavy clay soils. Adaptable to home landscaping situations, Virginian Witch Hazel is naturally found along stream banks in the shade in its native range where it appears open and poorly branched. However, under cultivation in full or partial sun, it develops a fuller, rounded crown.
  • Perfect in mixed shrub borders for dramatic late-season blooms. Great flowering shrub for cottage gardens, rain gardens, woodland gardens, banks and slopes, screens, and hedges. Perfect as a specimen plant.
  • Low maintenance, this plant may be damaged by rabbits and deer. Keep an eye out for honey fungus, phytophthora root rot, coral spot, and powdery mildews.
  • 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 seed, sown in containers in a cold frame as soon as they are ripe, or by layering in fall
  • Native to eastern Canada, Midwest & East United States, Mexico

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.Read More

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Requirements

Hardiness 3 – 8
Heat Zones 1 – 8
Climate Zones 1A, 1B, 2A, 2B, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 18, 19, 20, 21
Plant Type Shrubs, Trees
Plant Family Hamamelis - Witch Hazels
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun, Shade
Season of Interest Fall
Winter
Height 15' – 20' (4.5m – 6m)
Spread 15' – 20' (4.5m – 6m)
Water Needs Average
Maintenance Low
Soil Type Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained
Characteristics Fragrant, Showy
Native Plants United States, Midwest, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio, Wisconsin, Northeast, Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Southeast, Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, Southwest, Oklahoma, Texas
Tolerance Clay Soil
Attracts Birds
Garden Uses Banks and Slopes, Beds and Borders, Hedges and Screens
Garden Styles Informal and Cottage, Prairie and Meadow, Traditional Garden

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lianem / 123RF Stock Photo

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.


Requirements

Hardiness 3 – 8
Heat Zones 1 – 8
Climate Zones 1A, 1B, 2A, 2B, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 18, 19, 20, 21
Plant Type Shrubs, Trees
Plant Family Hamamelis - Witch Hazels
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun, Shade
Season of Interest Fall
Winter
Height 15' – 20' (4.5m – 6m)
Spread 15' – 20' (4.5m – 6m)
Water Needs Average
Maintenance Low
Soil Type Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained
Characteristics Fragrant, Showy
Native Plants United States, Midwest, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio, Wisconsin, Northeast, Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Southeast, Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, Southwest, Oklahoma, Texas
Tolerance Clay Soil
Attracts Birds
Garden Uses Banks and Slopes, Beds and Borders, Hedges and Screens
Garden Styles Informal and Cottage, Prairie and Meadow, Traditional Garden

Great Plant Combination Ideas with Hamamelis - Witch Hazels

Guides with Hamamelis - Witch Hazels

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