About
Livia' is a spreading shrub up to 2.5m high and 3m wide with twiggy branches, broadly elliptic leaves 11cm long and 6.5cm wide which are a medium yellowish green heavily flushed with maroon-purple in spring, become dark green, and develop faint orange-red tints in autumn; lightly scented flowers with purplish red calyces and deep red petals over 2cm long appear from late autumn to late winter, over a very long flowering period, and unlike some other red cultivars they do not change colour as they fade.
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
AspectSouth-facing, North-facing, West-facing, East-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH5
Plant details
Plant typeShrubs
HabitSpreading branched
FoliageDeciduous
Height1.5-2.5 metres
Spread2.5-4 metres
Time to full height10-20 years
Suggested usesCity and courtyard gardens, Cottage and informal garden
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