Hamamelis x intermedia ‘Gingerbread’ (Witch Hazel)

Prized for its attractive winter blooms and foliage, Hamamelis x intermedia ‘Gingerbread’ (Witch Hazel) is a moderately vigorous, spreading, deciduous shrub with slightly scented, deep burnt orange flowers in late winter. Each flower consists of 4 ribbon-like, curled, strap-shaped petals suffused red at their base, contrasting a deep purple-red calyx. 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. Hardy, this flowering shrub sports ovate-rounded green leaves, which are heavily flushed with maroon-purple for several weeks after they emerge before becoming dark green, then turning yellow in fall.

• Recipient of the prestigious Award of Garden Merit of the Royal Horticultural Society
• Grows up to 6-10 ft. tall (180-300 cm) and 10-12 ft. wide (300-360 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. Consistent moisture is best.
• Mass in mixed shrub borders for dramatic winter blooms. Great flowering shrub for city gardens, cottage gardens, woodland gardens, banks and slopes, as a screen or hedge. Perfect as a specimen plant.
• Keep an eye out for honey fungus, phytophthora root rot, coral spot, and powdery mildews.
• Deer: Witch hazel is generally considered to be 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 layering in autumn, by grafting in late winter or early spring onto H. virginiana rootstocks, by budding in late summer, or by softwood cuttings in mid-spring in very free-draining compost with bottom heat and humid conditions.
• Hamamelis x intermedia is a hybrid of garden origin between Hamamelis japonica and Hamamelis mollis.