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Witch hazels (Hamamelis)
Witch hazels comprise a small genus of flowering shrubs and small trees that are popular ornamental plants. Flowers are yellow or orange-red and have four ribbon-like petals. The Latin name translates to "together with fruit" which refers to the fact that both the flowers and fruit are often on the plant at the same time.
Lifespan
Perennial
Plant Type
Shrub
Key Facts About Witch hazels
Feedback
Attributes of Witch hazels
Plant Height
4.5 m
Spread
4 m
Leaf type
Deciduous
Ideal Temperature
0 - 32 ℃
Scientific Classification of Witch hazels
Distribution of Witch hazels
Feedback
Distribution Map of Witch hazels
Native
Cultivated
Invasive
Potentially invasive
Exotic
No species reported
How to Grow and Care for Witch hazels
Feedback
Witch hazels, or witch hazels, are popular for their floral blossoms in late winter. They prefer fairly acidic, well-drained soil, and should be watered moderately. Adequate sunlight exposure, preferably morning sun, is essential. The plants are generally hardy, but are prone to some pests like aphids or leaf gall aphids. They can also contract fungal leaf spots. Seasonal care includes mulching for insulation in winter, and regular watering during summer. Pruning should be done in spring, after the bloom period.
How to Water Witch hazels?
What Are the Sunlight Requirements for Witch hazels?
How to Plant Witch hazels?
Exploring the Witch hazels Plants
Feedback
8 most common species：
Witch hazel
Witch hazel was used quite commonly in the 20th century for locating water sources. The practice, called dowsing or water witching, is still occasionally used. In dowsing, a forked stick of witch hazel is held perpendicular to the ground and moved slowly over it. The belief is that when a water source is directly under the stick, it will dip or jump.
Chinese witch hazel
The most aromatic of the witch hazels, the chinese witch hazel, is grown as an ornamental plant for shrub borders or forest gardens. This fragrant shrub has rounded leaves and flowers that resemble golden yellow spiders and is praised for its fragrance.
Ozark witchhazel
The ozark witchhazel is a deciduous shrub most often found around the Ozark Plateau. This shrub blooms during late winter and early spring if given full sun or partial shade. The Greek roots of its scientific name, Hamamelis vernalis, reference the fact that both the flowers and fruits develop simultaneously.
Witch-hazels 'Pallida'
Witch-hazels 'Pallida' is distinct for its abundant yellow flowers that bloom in mid- to late-winter. Its cultivar name comes from those pale flowers. It is among the most popular cultivars of Hamamelis x intermedia for its attractive fall foliage, incredible winter flowering, and its height of 2.5 to 3.5 m.
Witch-hazels 'Primavera'
The witch-hazels 'Primavera' is a captivating hybrid shrub, heralding spring with bright yellow, fragrant flowers that blossom in clusters before its dark green, oval-shaped leaves unfurl. Adaptable to a variety of soils, this deciduous plant thrives under full to partial sun, with its sprawling branches reaching up to 12 feet, creating an eye-catching display in any garden.
Witch-hazels 'Arnold Promise'
Witch-hazels 'Arnold Promise' is distinct for its late-blooming, sweetly fragrant flowers that bloom in late winter to early spring. A cultivar of Hamamelis x intermedia, it gets its name from its origins at the Arnold Arboretum in Boston. At a height of 3.5 to 6 m, it grows even taller than other related cultivars and keeps large gardens interesting in winter.
Witch-hazels 'Aphrodite'
Witch-hazels 'Aphrodite' is a witch hazel that stands out from the rest because of the unusual and attractive orange-red flowers, which have helped it achieve the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit. Named after the Greek goddess of love, this hybrid is a cross between Japanese and Chinese witch hazels.
Chinese witch hazel 'Brevipetala'
Chinese witch hazel comes in a variety of colors and sizes. Chinese witch hazel 'Brevipetala' is a yellow-flowered cultivar of this species that has very short petals. In fact, "brevipetal" means 'short petals' in Italian. This cultivar is also shorter and more compact than its parent species, growing and spreading to 3 to 3.5 m instead of 4.5 m.
All Species of Witch hazels
Witch hazel
Witch hazel
Witch hazel was used quite commonly in the 20th century for locating water sources. The practice, called dowsing or water witching, is still occasionally used. In dowsing, a forked stick of witch hazel is held perpendicular to the ground and moved slowly over it. The belief is that when a water source is directly under the stick, it will dip or jump.
Chinese witch hazel
Chinese witch hazel
The most aromatic of the witch hazels, the chinese witch hazel, is grown as an ornamental plant for shrub borders or forest gardens. This fragrant shrub has rounded leaves and flowers that resemble golden yellow spiders and is praised for its fragrance.
Ozark witchhazel
Ozark witchhazel
The ozark witchhazel is a deciduous shrub most often found around the Ozark Plateau. This shrub blooms during late winter and early spring if given full sun or partial shade. The Greek roots of its scientific name, Hamamelis vernalis, reference the fact that both the flowers and fruits develop simultaneously.
Witch-hazels 'Pallida'
Witch-hazels 'Pallida'
Witch-hazels 'Pallida' is distinct for its abundant yellow flowers that bloom in mid- to late-winter. Its cultivar name comes from those pale flowers. It is among the most popular cultivars of Hamamelis x intermedia for its attractive fall foliage, incredible winter flowering, and its height of 2.5 to 3.5 m.
Witch-hazels 'Primavera'
Witch-hazels 'Primavera'
The witch-hazels 'Primavera' is a captivating hybrid shrub, heralding spring with bright yellow, fragrant flowers that blossom in clusters before its dark green, oval-shaped leaves unfurl. Adaptable to a variety of soils, this deciduous plant thrives under full to partial sun, with its sprawling branches reaching up to 12 feet, creating an eye-catching display in any garden.
Witch-hazels 'Arnold Promise'
Witch-hazels 'Arnold Promise'
Witch-hazels 'Arnold Promise' is distinct for its late-blooming, sweetly fragrant flowers that bloom in late winter to early spring. A cultivar of Hamamelis x intermedia, it gets its name from its origins at the Arnold Arboretum in Boston. At a height of 3.5 to 6 m, it grows even taller than other related cultivars and keeps large gardens interesting in winter.
Witch-hazels 'Aphrodite'
Witch-hazels 'Aphrodite'
Witch-hazels 'Aphrodite' is a witch hazel that stands out from the rest because of the unusual and attractive orange-red flowers, which have helped it achieve the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit. Named after the Greek goddess of love, this hybrid is a cross between Japanese and Chinese witch hazels.
Chinese witch hazel 'Brevipetala'
Chinese witch hazel 'Brevipetala'
Chinese witch hazel comes in a variety of colors and sizes. Chinese witch hazel 'Brevipetala' is a yellow-flowered cultivar of this species that has very short petals. In fact, "brevipetal" means 'short petals' in Italian. This cultivar is also shorter and more compact than its parent species, growing and spreading to 3 to 3.5 m instead of 4.5 m.
Witch-hazels 'Harry'
Witch-hazels 'Harry'
An upright, compact variety of witch hazel, the witch-hazels 'Harry' grows to a height of 2.5 m and can be equally as wide. The witch-hazels 'Harry' variety has showy yellow flowers that are mildly fragrant. It blooms in winter or early spring and does not have a distinctive fall coloration.
Witch-hazels 'Diane'
Witch-hazels 'Diane'
Witch-hazels 'Diane' is distinct for its deep coppery-red flowers which bloom in mid-winter to early spring. A cultivar of Hamamelis x intermedia, it is named for the daughter of Robert and Jelena de Belder, the horticulturists who developed it. It is prized for its dazzling autumn foliage and winter flowers; with a height of up to 3.5 m, it adds a great deal of interest to your garden.
Witch-hazels 'Aurora'
Witch-hazels 'Aurora'
Witch-hazels 'Aurora' is certainly a strange and interesting sight when in bloom since it has the largest flowers of all the witch hazel family. These peculiar flowers have long-filamented yellow petals that are similar to the dawn skies evoked by the plant's name (aurora is 'dawn' in Latin). This is such a popular garden plant it has received the Award of Garden Merit from the Royal Horticultural Society.
Hybrid witchhazel
Hybrid witchhazel
The ripe fruit of hybrid witchhazel can shoot out its tiny black seeds up to 10 meters. This winter-flowering shrub is used as a screen or a tall hedge in landscapes, borders, and woodland gardens. The scented flowers resemble spiders and grow on leafless stems.
Witch-hazels 'Jelena'
Witch-hazels 'Jelena'
Witch-hazels 'Jelena' has distinct coppery-orange flowers which upon close inspection are actually red at the base and transition to yellow at the tips. A cultivar of Hamamelis x intermedia, it is named for horticulturist Jelena de Belder-Kovačič. It is prized for its dazzling autumn foliage and winter flowers. With its height of up to 3.5 m, it adds interest to your garden from fall through winter.
Witch-hazels 'Barmstedt Gold'
Witch-hazels 'Barmstedt Gold'
Witch-hazels 'Barmstedt Gold' is named for the northern German town of Barmstedt and also for its attractive golden flowers. These golden flowers, which bloom in late winter and early spring, are what make this attractive hybrid stand out from other witch hazels. This showy garden shrub makes an excellent shrub border or tall hedge.
Japanese witch-hazel
Japanese witch-hazel
A horizontally spreading hardy deciduous shrub or small tree it is notable for the slightly fragrant yellow blooms which clothe its naked branches in the depths of winter through to early spring. The green leaves follow and in favourable locations they turn yellow before dropping in fall.
Witch-hazels 'Strawberries and Cream'
Witch-hazels 'Strawberries and Cream'
Witch-hazels 'Strawberries and Cream' is distinct from other Hamamelis x intermida cultivars thanks to its mildly-scented, bicolor flowers. It gets its name from those flowers, which are red at the base but transition to a creamy yellow. Gardeners love it for its height of 2.5 to 3.5 m, deer resistance, ease of maintenance, and the fact that it remains beautiful long into winter.
Witch-hazels 'Orange Beauty'
Witch-hazels 'Orange Beauty'
Witch-hazels 'Orange Beauty' is a vibrant, mid-sized deciduous shrub boasting fragrant, fiery orange flowers that blossom in late winter to early spring, providing a striking contrast to the barren landscape. The broadly oval leaves turn eye-catching shades of yellow to red in autumn. Witch-hazels 'Orange Beauty' thrives in well-drained soil and full sun to partial shade, offering a burst of warmth and color when most plants lie dormant.
Ozark witchhazel 'Sandra'
Ozark witchhazel 'Sandra'
Ozark witchhazel 'Sandra' burst forth with fragrant, bright yellow blooms in late winter to early spring, offering a cheerful contrast against the barren landscape. This deciduous shrub, distinctive with ribbon-like petals, flourishes in well-drained soil, and full to partial sun. Its hardy nature and tolerance to cold make ozark witchhazel 'Sandra' a resilient harbinger of the changing seasons.
More Popular Genus
Feedback
Dracaena
Dracaena are popular house plants that are easy to grow. They can tolerate low-light conditions and require little watering. Their leaves range from variegated to dark green. Their characteristic traits include woody stems that grow slowly but offer a striking appearance for small spaces such as apartments or offices.
Fig trees
Fig trees have been cultivated in many regions for their fruits, particularly the common fig, F. carica. Most of the species have edible fruits, although the common fig is the only one of commercial value. Fig trees are also important food sources for wildlife in the tropics, including monkeys, bats, and insects.
Brambles
Brambles are members of the rose family, and there are hundreds of different types to be found throughout the European countryside. They have been culturally significant for centuries; Christian folklore stories hold that when the devil was thrown from heaven, he landed on a bramble bush. Their vigorous growth habit can tangle into native plants and take over.
Maples
The popular tree family known as maples change the color of their leaves in the fall. Many cultural traditions encourage people to watch the colors change, such as momijigari in Japan. Maples popular options for bonsai art. Alternately, their sap is used to create maple syrup.
Prunus
Prunus is a genus of flowering fruit trees that includes almonds, cherries, plums, peaches, nectarines, and apricots. These are often known as "stone fruits" because their pits are large seeds or "stones." When prunus trees are damaged, they exhibit "gummosis," a condition in which the tree's gum (similar to sap) is secreted to the bark to help heal external wounds.
Nightshades
Nightshades is a large and diverse genus of plants, with more than 1500 different types worldwide. This genus incorporates both important staple food crops like tomato, potato, and eggplant, but also dangerous poisonous plants from the nightshade family. The name was coined by Pliny the Elder almost two thousand years ago.
Roses
Most species of roses are shrubs or climbing plants that have showy flowers and sharp thorns. They are commonly cultivated for cut flowers or as ornamental plants in gardens due to their attractive appearance, pleasant fragrance, and cultural significance in many countries. The rose hips (fruits) can also be used in jams and teas.
Oaks
Oaks are among the world's longest-lived trees, sometimes growing for over 1,000 years! The oldest known oak tree is in the southern United States and is over 1,500 years old. Oaks produce an exceedingly popular type of wood which is used to make different products, from furniture and flooring to wine barrels and even cosmetic creams.
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About
Key Facts
Distribution
How To Care
All Species
More Genus
Witch hazels
Hamamelis
Witch hazels comprise a small genus of flowering shrubs and small trees that are popular ornamental plants. Flowers are yellow or orange-red and have four ribbon-like petals. The Latin name translates to "together with fruit" which refers to the fact that both the flowers and fruit are often on the plant at the same time.
Lifespan
Perennial
Plant Type
Shrub
Key Facts About Witch hazels
Feedback
Attributes of Witch hazels
Plant Height
4.5 m
Spread
4 m
Leaf type
Deciduous
Ideal Temperature
0 - 32 ℃
Scientific Classification of Witch hazels
Distribution of Witch hazels
Feedback
Distribution Map of Witch hazels
Native
Cultivated
Invasive
Potentially invasive
Exotic
No species reported
How to Grow and Care for Witch hazels
Feedback
Witch hazels, or witch hazels, are popular for their floral blossoms in late winter. They prefer fairly acidic, well-drained soil, and should be watered moderately. Adequate sunlight exposure, preferably morning sun, is essential. The plants are generally hardy, but are prone to some pests like aphids or leaf gall aphids. They can also contract fungal leaf spots. Seasonal care includes mulching for insulation in winter, and regular watering during summer. Pruning should be done in spring, after the bloom period.
How to Water Witch hazels?
What Are the Sunlight Requirements for Witch hazels?
How to Plant Witch hazels?
Exploring the Witch hazels Plants
Feedback
8 most common species：
Witch hazel
Witch hazel was used quite commonly in the 20th century for locating water sources. The practice, called dowsing or water witching, is still occasionally used. In dowsing, a forked stick of witch hazel is held perpendicular to the ground and moved slowly over it. The belief is that when a water source is directly under the stick, it will dip or jump.
Chinese witch hazel
The most aromatic of the witch hazels, the chinese witch hazel, is grown as an ornamental plant for shrub borders or forest gardens. This fragrant shrub has rounded leaves and flowers that resemble golden yellow spiders and is praised for its fragrance.
Ozark witchhazel
The ozark witchhazel is a deciduous shrub most often found around the Ozark Plateau. This shrub blooms during late winter and early spring if given full sun or partial shade. The Greek roots of its scientific name, Hamamelis vernalis, reference the fact that both the flowers and fruits develop simultaneously.
Witch-hazels 'Pallida'
Witch-hazels 'Pallida' is distinct for its abundant yellow flowers that bloom in mid- to late-winter. Its cultivar name comes from those pale flowers. It is among the most popular cultivars of Hamamelis x intermedia for its attractive fall foliage, incredible winter flowering, and its height of 2.5 to 3.5 m.
Show More Species
All Species of Witch hazels
Witch hazel
Chinese witch hazel
Ozark witchhazel
Witch-hazels 'Pallida'
Witch-hazels 'Primavera'
Witch-hazels 'Arnold Promise'
Witch-hazels 'Aphrodite'
Chinese witch hazel 'Brevipetala'
Witch-hazels 'Harry'
Witch-hazels 'Diane'
Witch-hazels 'Aurora'
Hybrid witchhazel
Witch-hazels 'Jelena'
Witch-hazels 'Barmstedt Gold'
Japanese witch-hazel
Witch-hazels 'Strawberries and Cream'
Witch-hazels 'Orange Beauty'
Ozark witchhazel 'Sandra'
More Popular Genus
Feedback
Dracaena
Dracaena are popular house plants that are easy to grow. They can tolerate low-light conditions and require little watering. Their leaves range from variegated to dark green. Their characteristic traits include woody stems that grow slowly but offer a striking appearance for small spaces such as apartments or offices.
Fig trees
Fig trees have been cultivated in many regions for their fruits, particularly the common fig, F. carica. Most of the species have edible fruits, although the common fig is the only one of commercial value. Fig trees are also important food sources for wildlife in the tropics, including monkeys, bats, and insects.
Brambles
Brambles are members of the rose family, and there are hundreds of different types to be found throughout the European countryside. They have been culturally significant for centuries; Christian folklore stories hold that when the devil was thrown from heaven, he landed on a bramble bush. Their vigorous growth habit can tangle into native plants and take over.
Maples
The popular tree family known as maples change the color of their leaves in the fall. Many cultural traditions encourage people to watch the colors change, such as momijigari in Japan. Maples popular options for bonsai art. Alternately, their sap is used to create maple syrup.
Prunus
Prunus is a genus of flowering fruit trees that includes almonds, cherries, plums, peaches, nectarines, and apricots. These are often known as "stone fruits" because their pits are large seeds or "stones." When prunus trees are damaged, they exhibit "gummosis," a condition in which the tree's gum (similar to sap) is secreted to the bark to help heal external wounds.
Nightshades
Nightshades is a large and diverse genus of plants, with more than 1500 different types worldwide. This genus incorporates both important staple food crops like tomato, potato, and eggplant, but also dangerous poisonous plants from the nightshade family. The name was coined by Pliny the Elder almost two thousand years ago.
Roses
Most species of roses are shrubs or climbing plants that have showy flowers and sharp thorns. They are commonly cultivated for cut flowers or as ornamental plants in gardens due to their attractive appearance, pleasant fragrance, and cultural significance in many countries. The rose hips (fruits) can also be used in jams and teas.
Oaks
Oaks are among the world's longest-lived trees, sometimes growing for over 1,000 years! The oldest known oak tree is in the southern United States and is over 1,500 years old. Oaks produce an exceedingly popular type of wood which is used to make different products, from furniture and flooring to wine barrels and even cosmetic creams.
Your Ultimate Guide to Plants
Identify grow and nurture the better way!
17,000 local species +400,000 global species studied
Nearly 5 years of research
80+ scholars in botany and gardening
Continue reading in our app - it's better
A database of 400000+ plants
unlimited guides at your fingertips...
unlimited guides at your fingertips...
