Even in winter, witch hazel does not require much care. On frost-free days, you can occasionally water the plant a little so that it does not die of thirst and the root ball does not dry out. She doesn't need fertilizer at this time of year.
How do you care for a witch hazel in winter?
The witch hazel in winter hardly needs any care. Only water them on frost-free days to prevent the root ball from drying out. Fertilizing is not necessary. Most varieties bloom reliably in winter, although the flowering time can vary depending on the variety and the weather.
When do the witch hazel flowers open?
The special thing about witch hazel, which is the Latin name for witch hazel, is that its flowering time is in the middle of winter. Depending on the variety and the weather, the buds open from December.
Filigree flowers with narrow petals up to 4 cm long appear. Their shape is somewhat reminiscent of colorful spiders. The color palette ranges from delicate or bright yellow to orange and deep red.
The Virginia witch hazel (Hamamelis virginiana) is an exception because it blooms from the end of October. Hamamelis virginiana is also the only variety that is used medicinally or in homeopathy. Its areas of application primarily include various skin diseases and minor injuries, because witch hazel has an anti-inflammatory, astringent (contracting) and also hemostatic effect.
Does the witch hazel bloom reliably?
If the witch hazel is not happy with its location or the environmental conditions, it will not bloom. She probably doesn't get enough light or water. It should therefore be watered in summer when it is dry before the root ball dries out. Even in the first winter after planting, witch hazel often does not bloom. She needs a lot of time to get used to and grow.
The most important things in brief:
- very hardy
- Flowering time of most varieties in winter
- Hamamelis virginiana blooms in autumn
- when it's frosty, the petals curl up
- no special winter care required
- water occasionally on frost-free days
- do not fertilize
- Make sure you get enough water in summer, otherwise the flowers won’t bloom
Tip
Even if the petals curl up in severe frost, the witch hazel is usually not damaged because it is very hardy.
