Witch hazels are treasured for their very fragrant, unusually shaped flowers that appear in late fall or late winter. The flowers look like masses of thin ribbons or strings, in a golden yellow color. Under unseasonably cold conditions, the flowers protect themselves by closing into a tight ball.
Soil: Rich, moist, well drained
Light: Sun or light shade
Zone: 5 - 6
Comments
Common (H. virginiana)--the hardiest and largest (to 25 feet) fall-flowering variety--has medium-sized blooms that blend with yellow fall foliage. Vernal (H. vernalis)--smallest, most rounded shape (6 feet high and wide)--has the smallest (1/2-inch) flowers in late winter. Chinese (H. mollis)--largest plant with the largest spring flowers--is prone to cold damage. Arnold Promise (H. x intermedia) is showiest with red fall color.
