General Culture:
Easily grown in average, medium, well-drained soils in full sun to part shade. Best flowering in full sun. Prefers moist, acidic, organically rich soils. Tolerates heavy clay soils. Promptly remove suckers to prevent colonial spread. Little pruning is required. Prune in early spring if necessary.
Noteworthy Characteristics:
Common witch hazel (also called Eastern or American 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. In Missouri, it typically occurs in the eastern Ozark region, primarily on wooded north-facing hillsides and less frequently in valleys along streams (Steyermark). It typically grows 15-20’ tall with a similar spread in cultivation, but can reach 30’ tall in its native habitat in the southern Appalachians. 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. Flowers may be tinged with orange and/or red. 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. Each seed capsule splits open in fall of the following year, exploding the 1-2 black seeds within for up to 30 feet. Once the seeds are released, the empty capsules often remain on the plant for one or more additional years. Oval to obovate, medium to dark green leaves (to 6” long) with dentate to wavy margins turn quality shades of yellow in fall. This is usually the last flowering plant to bloom in Missouri each year. Witch hazel that is extracted for commercial use comes from this plant. Hamamelis vernalis (see C920) is the native Missouri witch hazel that flowers in late winter (January to March).
Problems:
No serious insect or disease problems. Occasional insect galls (small wasps) appear on the foliage. Japanese beetles may chew on the leaves in some areas.
Uses:
Shrub borders, woodland gardens. Screen or tall hedge.
© Missouri Botanical
Garden, 2001-2010
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