About
A strong-growing shrub up to 3.5m high, upright then becoming vase-shaped, with ovate-rounded leaves, 12cm long and 8cm wide, which are yellowish green when young, become sage-green, then turn orange and red in autumn, and flowers with a faint but sweet scent, dark purplish-red calyces and slightly twisted and crimped petals over 2cm long which are bright coppery orange suffused with red, from midwinter to late winter.
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, East-facing, South-facing, West-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH5
Plant details
Plant typeShrubs
HabitSpreading branched
FoliageDeciduous
Height2.5-4 metres
Spread2.5-4 metres
Time to full height10-20 years
Suggested usesCottage and informal garden, City and courtyard gardens
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 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 (under mist or in a closed case) and not potted on until the following year
Pest resistanceGenerally pest-free
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to coral spot, honey fungus, phytophthora root rot and powdery mildews