Witch-Hazel (Hamamelis virginiana)

A small understory tree, often multi-trunked, spreading branches form an irregular, open crown. Typically grows to 10-15′  but can reach 35′ in height. New leaves emerge reddish-bronze in the spring, and turn a brilliant gold in the fall.

Witch Hazel is best known for its fringed yellow flowers which appear in late fall and stay on the branches long after the leaves have dropped. The flowers are self-fertile and pollination is carried out by small flies and bees, along with several species of winter moths – which are active on cold nights. Bloom Time: October, November, December

Performs best on moister sites; avoid extremely dry situations.  Tolerates wet soils, pollution, shade, and poor soil. Full sun forms fuller, more symmetrical plants but may require more watering. The mature seeds open suddenly, with an audible popping sound, and are jetted as far as 30 feet from the mother tree. This seed dispersal can create an understory grove.

Native range: Eastern and central US and Canada Native Habitat: Moist woods, thickets, bottomlands, floodplains.Full Sun, Partial Sun, Shade

Size: 18-24″ bare root seedling

Photo Credit: Dietmar Rabich,  CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons