Hamamelis

Hamamelis

Witch hazel

• Position: full sun or partial shade
• Soil: well-drained, neutral to acid soil
• Flowering period: December to February
• Height: 3-4m
• Foliage: deciduous
• Hardiness: fully hardy

Hamamelis, also known as witch hazel, brings colour to the winter garden when few other shrubs flower. Elegant, spidery, fragrant flowers in bright, yellow, deep red or coppery-orange appear on bare stems from December until February.

It will do best in full sun or partial shade and prefers well-drained, slightly acidic soil.

Varieties

Hamamelis x intermedia ‘Pallida’

A well-loved variety is Hamamelis x intermedia ‘Pallida’ which offers sweetly scented, bright yellow flowers in early winter. Green leaves appear after flowering, that turn red and yellow in autumn. This shrub will eventually grow to 3m tall.

Pruning

Pruning Hamamelis (Witch hazel). Needs little pruning. If necessary remove any dead, misplaced or crossing branches in March after flowering.

Feeding

Apply a 5cm layer of compost around the base of the shrub in March.

Plant combination

Hamamelis works well with Erica x darleyensis, Helleborus orientalis, Jasminum nudiflorum, Camellia japonica.

Jasminum nudiflorum