Witch hazel is probably on every passionate gardener's wish list. These hardy shrubs produce golden-yellow flowers with strappy, wispy petals that are not as showy as other plants.
These plants perform best in full sun or filtered shade in warmer climates. Although witch hazel is small and not as striking as other plants, they are worth planting because they bloom at a time when others do not.
About Witch Hazel
The following are some facts about Witch Hazel plants:
Genus names: Hamamelis
USDA Hardiness zone 3 to 8.
8 to 20 feet tall and 3 to 12 feet wide.
It needs full (at least 6 hours) or partial sun (3 to 6 hours) daily for blooming.
Its foliage has a glossy texture and attractive fall colors in red, yellow, or orange.
It has been used in medicines and cosmetics for generations and is the go-to remedy for skin irritations and wounds.
The hazel family has over 100 species of trees and shrubs.
The following steps provide detailed instructions on how you get started on how to grow witch hazel.
When To Plant Witch Hazel
Witch hazels grown in tubes or containers are best planted between October and April. Avoid planting if the ground is frozen or waterlogged. You can keep your plant in a warm spot until the condition improves.
If you are growing witch hazel in pots, you can plant it any time. Bear in mind that you have to water it frequently to keep the soil moist if you are planting it during the spring or summer.
If the witch hazel is a bare root plant, plant as soon as possible after you receive them, but if conditions are not ideal, wait until they are.
Where To Plant Witch Hazel Tree
The location of your witch hazel can affect its bloom. Therefore, it is better not to plant it anywhere you like. These plants thrive best in an open, sunny position in the garden. They can tolerate partial shade, but anything more can cause the plants to become straggly.
It is also a good idea to protect your witch hazel from harsh winter wind as this can help concentrate the fragrance so you can plant it near a garden wall or fence. But ensure it has enough space to grow elegantly.
Additionally, you can surround your witch hazel with plants that can be easily trimmed and removed or naturally decline over time as the witch hazel matures.
How To Plant Witch Hazel
There are many ways you can grow witch hazel and it all depends on the level you are starting from. If you are starting from scratch by sowing seeds, it needs different techniques compared to nursery-grown and bare root plants.
Seeds
Witch hazel plants need no special planting method, but you need patience as it can take up to two years to germinate. The seeds have to go through a warm and cold season, which is doable if you are planting outdoors. Sow the seeds in moist soil in an area that will remain undisturbed.
If you want to start indoors, put the seeds in a warm location for three months and then refrigerate them for another three months. After that, move the seeds outside to a prepared nursery bed.
When planting the seeds outside, do not dig a deep hole as they are not deep rooting. The hole should be as deep as the length of its roots. After planting, water it and mulch with weed-free compost or soil conditioner.
Nursery Grown Plants
When planting a nursery-grown witch hazel, dig a hole slightly deeper and twice as wide that the pot it came in. Loosen the soil at the bottom of the hole with a shovel and add compost or organic matter to improve drainage.
Place the plant in the hole at the same level it was in the container, and fill the hole with soil, gently tamping it down to remove air pockets. Water the plant well and apply a 2-3 inch layer of mulch.
Bare Root Plants
When planting bare-root witch hazel, begin by gently untangling the roots and soaking them in water for 4-6 hours. Then, create a hole as deep as the root system of the plant. Amend the soil as needed, and at the bottom of the hole, build a small mound of soil.
Spread the roots over the mound, adjusting the height so that the bare-root plant is planted at the same level as it was previously growing. The topmost roots are just barely buried under the soil. Hold the plant in place with one hand while filling the hole with soil using the other hand.
As you fill the hole, gently press the soil to remove any air pockets. Once the hole is filled, water the plant thoroughly and apply a 2-3 inch layer of mulch to retain moisture.
Witch Hazel Care
Here are some things you should pay attention to while growing witch hazel.
Light
Witch hazels can tolerate a range of light conditions, and that is why you will see it as an understory plant beneath large trees in the wild. However, it thrives in full sun. The plant will bear stunning scented, flame-colored, ribbon-like flowers in full sun. It can survive in partial sun but expect fewer blossoms and more muted fall colors.
However, if the climate is too hot, filtered shade is best. Too much heat can cause heat stress, resulting in wilting, browning, and eventual death.
Soil
Witch hazel is quite hardy and can adapt to all kinds of soils like loam, clay, and sand as long as it is well-drained. They prefer nutrient-rich, moist soil conditions with acid to neutral pH range of 4.5 to 6.5. If you are using clay, amend it with compost or organic matter before planting.
While witch hazel prefers well-drained soil, it is crucial to ensure it does not suffer from drought during the summer months. To avoid this, consider adding a layer of mulch on top to help retain moisture in the soil to ensure the plant receives enough water.
Water
Witch Hazels are naturally drought tolerant, but they do need water. If your plant is young, you need to water frequently, but established ones get their fill from rainfall.
As a rule of thumb, you should water more frequently when the weather is hot and ensure you do not overdo it. A thorough inspection will help determine how much water your plant needs. Insert a finger 2-3 inches deep into the soil, and if it feels dry, it might need water. If the leaves wilt and are about to fall off, you might need to reduce your watering schedule.
Your watering technique also affects your plant. Direct soil watering is better than foliar spraying as it reduces disease risk. Use a soaker hose or a watering can to target the soil directly.
Fertilizer
Witch hazels do not need heavy fertilizing but can benefit from a light application.
Fertilizing young shrubs can increase the quality and quantity of flowers. You can use granular fertilizers that provide slow-release nutrition to sustain your plant or liquid ones that offer quick results with frequent applications.
Organic fertilizers, such as well-rotted manure, can also be applied. Avoid fertilizing in the fall, as it can make the new growth vulnerable to damage. Adult plants do not need fertilizers. They get their nutrients and energy from the sunlight. Over-fertilization can harm the plant's shallow roots.
Temperature
Witch hazel thrives in temperatures ranging from 65 to 80℉(18~27℃). They can tolerate up to 95℉(35℃) and 15℉(-10℃). Anything hotter or colder than these limits might make survival difficult.
Witch hazel is resistant to cold freezing temperatures, but if it drops to -30℉, it might need protection from frost. You can wrap the trunk and branches with non-woven fabric or cloth. Also, water the plant abundantly before winter so that the soil retains moisture. This helps prevent water scarcity during winter.
This plant cannot withstand temperatures exceeding 95℉. If the temperature does exceed this number, move the plant to a shady area in the afternoon or use a shade cloth.
Pruning
Witch Hazel does not require pruning but can help maintain a clean and upright form and encourage blooming. The occasional trimming should be done in spring before the plants leaf out and after the shrub has grown.
These plants produce suckers from the base that grow upwards and should be removed. Cut the suckers as close to the ground as possible so that the stubs do not grow new ones, and remove dead branches while you are at it.
Although the witch hazel plant is reliably pest and disease-free, they are not without problems. Be on the lookout for some of these problems affecting your plants.
Pests
Aphids are the most commonly occurring pests in plants. The gall aphids are found in the buds of and houses developing aphids inside them. They are green in color with a distinct conical structure and fleshy projection. When winter rolls around, they turn bright red, and their flesh hardens.
These gall aphids feed on the plant and reproduce. They are usually killed off by natural enemies. You can handpick and destroy infested leaves if you want to take matters into your own hands. You can also apply horticultural oil before the plant grows.
Diseases
Witch hazel can be affected by a rare but possible fungal disease known as blight. This disease causes yellow leaves and brown lesions bordered by darker brown margins.
As the disease progresses, it can lead to the blighting of entire leaves, resulting in the dropping of leaves and significant loss of foliage. The fungus can cause leaves to die and cause some stem tip dieback, but it is unlikely to kill the entire plant.
You can treat leaf blight by stopping it from spreading. Remove infected plant parts and avoid overwatering to reduce moisture. You can also use plant-friendly fungicides to stop the progression of the disease.
Witch Hazel Varieties to Grow
Most witch hazels are relatively easy to maintain, so choosing the variety you want to grow depends on witch hazel for fragrance, floral impact, and fall foliage. Below are three common varieties you could grow.
Hamamelis x intermedia ‘Pallida’
Height x Spread: 2.5m x 3m
The Pallida variety is a mix of Japanese witch hazel (H. japonica) and Chinese witch hazel (H. mollis). They are popular for their masses of spidery yellow flowers that glow when it is dark in late winter and have a wonderful scent. It blooms in late winter and early spring.
Hamamelis mollis ‘Imperialis’
Height x Spread: 2.5-3m x 2.5-3m
The Imperialis variety is a type of Chinese witch hazel that features clusters of strongly scented pale yellow flowers that are perhaps the largest of the genus. These flowers bloom along bare stems from January to March.
Hamamelis x intermedia ‘Aphrodite’
Height x spread: 4m x 4m
The aphrodite is a spreading shrub with slightly crimped, burnt orange, strongly scented flowers. The flowers are clustered along a leafless branch and bloom in winter.
