The witch hazel blooms most beautifully when it is in a sunny and protected place, for example on a house wall. Then in winter it opens its colorful, bizarre flowers and becomes an eye-catcher in every garden.
Where should a witch hazel be planted?
The ideal location for a witch hazel (witch hazel) is sunny and sheltered from the wind, with loose, permeable, nutrient-rich and lime-poor soil. Use organic fertilizer and water with low-lime water, preferably rainwater.
But witch hazel also tolerates partial shade quite well. In very frosty temperatures the petals curl up, so it should be protected from icy winds. If the root ball of the witch hazel dries out too much, it will not bloom. Therefore, protect dry soil from drying out with a layer of mulch.
What requirements does witch hazel have?
Witch hazel is often described as easy to care for, but it places quite high demands on the soil. Since it does not tolerate waterlogging at all, the soil should be loose and permeable, preferably rich in nutrients and low in lime. If the soil is too firm, loosen it up with some coarse sand or gravel.
To add nutrients to the soil, use organic fertilizer, such as horn shavings (€52.00 on Amazon), mature compost or well-rotted manure. If you have to water the witch hazel in summer during a long dry period, it is best to use rainwater, as tap water often contains too much lime.
The best for witch hazel:
- Choose a location that is as sunny as possible
- sheltered from the wind
- loose, permeable soil
- if necessary loosen up with sand or gravel
- enrich nutrient-poor soil
- use organic fertilizer, such as compost, horn shavings or manure
- Don’t let the root ball dry out
- water with low-lime water, preferably with rainwater
Tip
In the right location (sunny and protected), your witch hazel will thrive quite well and bloom relatively reliably, even without any special care.