Pam Haze
Adams County Master Gardener
(12/26) If you want to brighten up a winter landscape add witch hazel. Varieties of this attractive and easy to grow deciduous shrub bloom in bright yellow, orange, and red shades in late fall, winter, and early spring. There are native species, introduced Asian species, and cultivars bred to take advantage of its many positive characteristics including long and unusual blooming times, frost-proof fragrant flowers, and lush green foliage that turns gold in autumn.
Witch hazel is unique because it can grow fruit and flowers at the same time. The shaggy spidery flowers hug the stem and co-exist with attractive seed pods that turn a soft brown color as they mature and expel seeds with an explosive pop. Witch hazel has a long and distinguished history, named in 1753 by Linnaeus, the father of taxonomy – the modern system of naming organisms that is used internationally.
Witch hazel is the most popular topical botanical in the world and has been used for medicinal purposes for centuries. It is used as an anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, radiation-protective and for many other purposes. It is the source of topical extracts used in skin products made by major cosmetic firms including Revlon, Neutrogena, L’Oreal and Estee’ Lauder. The first mass-produced American skin-care product, Pond’s Cold Cream, was based on a witch hazel extract developed by the manufacturer who learned about it from an Oneida tribal medicine man. Witch hazel has long been used by Native Americans to treat many different ailments, to make tea, and in sweat lodges to soothe sore muscles. It is one of the only medicinal plants approved by the Food and Drug Administration as a non-prescription drug ingredient. It is also used for dowsing, an ancient method for finding underground water.
Witch hazel grows naturally as an open shrub with many stems, and it can be pruned for use as a hedge or grown as a small tree. Size varies between species, but most grow to about 15 to 20 feet tall. The large deep-green fan-shaped ridged leaves resemble those of the American hazelnut tree. Plants prefer moist, acidic, organically rich and well-draining soil, but are tolerant of less-than-ideal conditions including clay soils. Plant them in partial or dappled shade. An annual dressing of compost will add needed organic matter and acidity to keep the plant at its best. Pruning is not needed if the shrub is allowed to grow to full size, although it can be pruned after flowering to maintain shape and plant health.
If you are in the market for witch hazel, there are many types from which to choose. Common witch hazel (Hamamelis virginiana) is a native that grows in woodlands, forest margins and stream banks throughout the eastern part of the United States from Nova Scotia to Florida. It is hardy in zones 3 through 8 and well suited for the climate and other conditions here in Adams County. It will grow under the tall canopy of tall shade trees or in full sun with moist soil to 15-20 feet. The fragrant yellow flowers will bloom beginning in October and last into December. It is a host plant for the larvae of the spring azure butterfly. ‘Little Suzie’ is a cultivar with lemon yellow flowers and vase shaped habit. ‘Harvest Moon’ is more compact, 4 to 6 feet tall, with soft yellow flowers.
Vernal witch hazel (Hamamelis vernalis) is native to the Ozark Mountains in Missouri and Arkansas. It grows wild in the southern and central parts of North America and is hardy in zones 4 through 8. It is smaller than common witch hazel, maturing into a 6-10 foot shrub. Fragrant flowers in varying colors bloom late winter through early spring. Popular cultivars include ‘Amethyst’ with near-purple flowers, ‘Red Imp’ with flowers in red and maroon shades, and ‘Tim’s Purple’ with purple-red flowers.
Chinese witch hazel (Hamamelis mollis) is widely planted because it has larger flowers that are more fragrant than native species. It grows 8 to 10 feet tall and flowers in February through March. Cultivars include ‘Goldcrest’ with golden yellow flowers and ‘Superba’ with orange flowers.
Hybrid witch hazels (Hamamelis x intermedia) are interspecific crosses between Chinese and Japanese witch hazel (Hamamelis japonica). Japanese witch hazel is delicate and won’t survive extremes in cold weather so it is not easily found for purchase. The hybrids are hardy and can reach a height of 15 feet and flower from January through March with flowers in yellow, orange and red shades. Commonly planted cultivars include ‘Arnold’s Promise’, ‘Jelena’ and ‘Copper Beauty’.
Witch hazel is pollinated by nocturnal moths in the family Noctuidae, also called winter moths because they are active on cold nights. These moths can fly during winter months and are able to generate heat to stay warm by shivering. They fly at night searching for food, which consists primarily of tree sap and witch hazel nectar.
Witch hazel is relatively free from serious insect or disease problems. Small wasps, Japanese beetles, leaf roller, scale, and gall aphids can affect the plant, but normally these insects do not become a significant problem. Powdery mildew and leaf spot can be an issue but can be treated. In general, neither will affect the health or longevity of the plant.
Witch hazels are excellent as specimen plants or massed in a border. Plant them with a backdrop of dark evergreens to set off yellow leaves and flowers. Their upright shape allows underplanting. I have one growing outside my kitchen window and today I can look out and see the bright yellow flowers on the pretty brown stems. There are many things to like about this plant.
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