About
An erect large shrub up to 5m high (or occasionally a small tree up to 10m high) with smooth, broadly-oval, obovate, or nearly-round leaves, up to 15cm long, which open light green before becoming dark green. virginiana is the species from which medicinal witch-hazel extract is made. Clusters of sweetly-scented flowers with slightly-twisted, crimped, pale yellow petals, about 16mm long, appear from mid-autumn to late autumn, the flowers emerging while the leaves are still green and remaining as the leaves turn golden yellow and fall.
About the genus
Hamamelis are deciduous shrubs with broadly ovate or rounded leaves, sometimes colouring well in autumn, and fragrant yellow to red flowers with 4 narrow petals, borne on the leafless branches in late winter and early spring, or in autumn
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun, Partial shade
Soil typeClay, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained
AspectNorth-facing, South-facing, West-facing, East-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH6
Plant details
Plant typeShrubs
HabitColumnar upright
FoliageDeciduous
Height4-8 metres
Spread2.5-4 metres
Time to full height10-20 years
Suggested usesCottage and informal garden
Native toE Canada, Midwest & East USA, Mexico
FragranceFlower
Care notes
CultivationGrow in moderately fertile, neutral or preferably slightly acidic soil which is well-drained but humus-rich and moisture-retentive in summer, in full sun or partial shade, in an open position with shelter from cold drying winds, and add mulch to conserve moisture; will also tolerate soils over chalk if they are deep and humus-rich; for more advice, see witch hazel cultivation
PruningPruning group 1
PropagationPropagate by seed, sown in containers in a cold frame as soon as they are ripe (seeds may take two years to germinate), or by layering in autumn
Pest resistanceGenerally pest-free
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to coral spot, honey fungus, phytophthora root rot and powdery mildews