Common Witch Hazel
Hamamelis virginiana
Hamamelis virginiana
Foliage: Medium green
Fall Foliage: Yellow Fruit: Greenish capsule Habit/Form: Upright, round (multi-stemmed) Uses: Hedge, woodland areas |
Zone Hardiness: 5 - 8
Plant Height: 15 - 25 ft Plant Width: 15 - 20 ft Light: Sun/part shade Growth Rate: Medium |
Hamamelis virginiana, known as common witch hazel, is a fall-blooming, deciduous shrub or small tree that is native to woodlands, forest margins and stream banks in eastern North America. It typically grows 15-20’ tall with a similar spread in cultivation, but can reach 30’ tall in its native habitat. Stem-hugging clusters of fragrant bright yellow flowers, each with four crinkly, ribbon-shaped petals, appear along the branches from October to December, usually after leaf drop but sometimes at the time of fall color. Fertilized flowers will form fruit over a long period extending through winter and into the following growing season. Fruits are greenish seed capsules that become woody with age and mature to light brown. Oval to obovate, medium to dark green leaves with dentate to wavy margins turn quality shades of yellow in fall. Attractive to birds and wildlife.
Common or Fall Flowering Witch Hazel should be pruned in early spring before the plant leafs out.
Common or Fall Flowering Witch Hazel should be pruned in early spring before the plant leafs out.