Common Witch Hazel

About this plant

Common Witch Hazel, or Hamamelis virginiana, is a remarkable deciduous shrub prized for its late autumn to early winter bloom time, offering a much-needed splash of color when most other plants are dormant. Its spidery, ribbon-like yellow flowers, often fragrant, emerge directly on bare branches, creating a truly enchanting display. Beyond its unique bloom, the Common Witch Hazel boasts attractive oval-shaped leaves that turn a lovely golden-yellow in the fall, adding seasonal interest to your landscape. This versatile plant offers an upright, spreading habit, making it an excellent choice for a specimen plant, a shrub border, or an understory planting in a naturalized setting. Historically, various preparations from Witch Hazel bark and leaves have been used for their astringent properties, adding a layer of historical intrigue to this already fascinating plant.

Care & maintenance

Easily grown in average, medium moisture, well-draining soils. Prefers full sun to partial shade; flowering is best in full sun. Tolerates a range of soil types including clay, but avoid consistently wet conditions. Pruning is generally not necessary, but can be done after flowering to remove dead or straggly branches, or to maintain a desired size and shape.