About
John' is an upright to rounded, deciduous shrub to 3.5m tall and wide with broadly oval leaves that emerge yellow-green in spring before becoming dark green. Lightly-scented flowers borne in winter have golden-yellow, twisted petals to 2.5cm long tinged red at the base.
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, Well-drained
AspectSouth-facing, North-facing, West-facing, East-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH5
Plant details
Plant typeShrubs
HabitBushy
FoliageDeciduous
Height2.5-4 metres
Spread2.5-4 metres
Time to full height10-20 years
Suggested usesCottage and informal garden
FragranceFlower
Care notes
CultivationEasy to grow in an open but unexposed site. Grows best in a neutral or slightly acidic soil but will tolerate deep, humus-rich soils over chalk. See hamamelis cultivation for further information
PruningPruning group 1
PropagationPropagate by grafting in late winter. Budding can be carried out in late summer and layering in autumn
Pest resistanceGenerally pest-free
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to coral spot, honey fungus, phytophthora root rot and powdery mildews