Hamamelis Species, American Witch Hazel, Common Witch Hazel

An attractive shrub or multitrunked understory tree native to moist woodlands of eastern N. America. It differs from the Asian witch haze...Read Morels in blooming in late fall rather than late winter.

This tree can reach a height of 20-25' and as wide. It should be planted where it can reach its full size without disturbance. Pruning destroys its beautiful branching architecture.

I observe a lot of genetic variation in the number of flowers. The average wild plant is a lot less floriferous than any of the hybrid Asian witch hazels in commerce. But a few plants have a lot more flowers.

There's also a lot of genetic variability in the timing of bloom. Some bloom while still in leaf, others come into bloom only after the leaves drop. The latter are more ornamentally useful. I wish someone would select one and propagate it.

The sweet fragrance of the flowers is strong enough to carry on the air.

The flowers may seem anticlimactic on the heels of the yellow fall foliage display. If I had to choose one witch hazel for specimen use, I'd plant one of the Asian winter blooming varieties.

Tolerates considerable shade, but flowering is best in full sun with consistent moisture.

This plant can be propagated by layering, which takes a year.

Seeds take a year to ripen. Capsules burst explosively, with a loud sound, shooting the seeds up to 30'. To collect seeds, bag them in late summer, or cut the capsules off in late summer or early fall when ripe and allow to dry in a covered container. Seeds have a double dormancy requirement. Scarification may speed germination.

The seeds are said to have been a valued food among native Americans, and to taste like pistachios.

Dec. 2014: A freely flowering selection has been made commercially available: 'Harvest Moon'. There are now 5-8 different cultivars in commerce. Yay!

I've seen this plant wild in the shady, mature (climax) woods of se PA, sw Michigan, and northern DE. I occassioanlly see a few in landsc...Read Moreapes, usually planted because of landscape architects. Large nurseries and native nurseries sell some. It is a high quality plant that is neat and clean. Handsome leaves get to 6" long x 3.5 " wide, develop good yellow or orange fall color, and stems have smooth gray bark, and small yellow flowers bloom in October, November, to early December. Grows about 1 ft/yr and lives 100 to 150 yrs. Can be a small tree, but usually a large shrub in regular landscapes. Grows in moist or draining wet soils acid or slightly alkaline; dislikes dry soils.

Witch Hazel is native to U.S. and Canada from Quebec & Nova Scotia to northern Michigan & southeast Minnesota, south to Florida and Texas...Read More.

Easily grown in average, medium, well-drained soils in full sun to part shade. Best flowering in full sun. Prefers moist, acidic, organically rich soils. Tolerates heavy clay soils. Promptly remove suckers to prevent colonial spread. Little pruning is required. Prune in early spring if necessary.

This small tree or tall shrub is often multi-trunked and usually grows10-15 ft. tall but can reach 35 ft. in height. The large, crooked, spreading branches form an irregular, open crown. The floral display of witch hazel is unique. Its fragrant, yellow flowers with strap-like, crumpled petals appear in the fall, persisting for some time after leaf drop. Lettuce-green, deciduous leaves maintain a rich consistency into fall when they turn brilliant gold. Bark is smooth and gray.

Birds eat the fruits (small brown capsules). Browsed by deer and beaver.

Grows well in a very large pot here in North Florida. Beautiful foliage does not appear to be bothered by insects or disease so far, but...Read More has yet to bloom