The witch hazel doesn't have its German name for nothing: the broadly bushy shrub opens its numerous, unusually thread-shaped and bright yellow, orange or red flowers in the middle of winter. Many varieties show their colorful splendor in January, when all other garden plants are still in deep hibernation. No wonder, then, that the popular ornamental tree is often called the “queen of winter bloomers”.
What is witch hazel and how should it be cared for?
The witch hazel is a winter-flowering shrub with unusually thread-shaped flowers in bright colors such as yellow, orange or red. It grows slowly, reaches a height of up to four meters and prefers sunny, wind-protected locations with nutrient-rich, deep and well-drained soil Floor. Witch hazels are also used as medicinal plants and food for insects.
Origin and distribution
Strictly speaking, witch hazel is a generic name that includes a total of six different species. Two species, the Chinese and Japanese witch hazel, are native to East Asia, three others come from the USA:
- Virginian witch hazel or autumn-flowering witch hazel (Hamamelis virginiana)
- Spring witch hazel (Hamamelis vernalis)
- Hamamelis ovalis (only discovered and described for the first time in 2006)
Strictly speaking, the sixth variant is not a separate species, but rather a breeding hybrid from the first two Hamamelis species mentioned. The numerous varieties of Hamamelis x intermedia are widely used as ornamental trees in many gardens.
Usage
Three of the witch hazel species mentioned and the hybrid forms are popular ornamental plants in temperate climate zones. The bushes grow quite slowly, are ideal solitary plants and do not need to be cut back.
The Virginian witch hazel is also used as a medicinal plant under the name Hamamelis. Its ingredients have a positive, anti-itching, anti-inflammatory and hemostatic effect, which is why it is often used in creams and ointments against skin inflammation and injuries.
Appearance and growth
The witch hazel gets its name because it seems enchanted during its winter flowering period. While their surroundings sink into dreary gray and white, their unusually thread-like flowers shine from afar. Without its flowers, the shrub, which grows up to four meters high, looks very similar to a hazelnut (Corylus avellana), which is why the English colloquially call it “Witch Hazel”. However, apart from their similar appearance, both genera have no other similarities. While the witch hazel is part of the witch hazel plant family (Hamamelidaceae), the hazelnut is a member of the birch family (Betulaceae) and is related to the white-stemmed birch trees.
Hamamelis grows very slowly; depending on the species and variety, only between 15 and 30 centimeters of growth occurs each year. When older, the shrub reaches heights of up to four meters and often becomes almost as wide. Incidentally, the slow growth is also the reason why witch hazel is so expensive: a 60 to 80 centimeter high bush costs between 30 and 40 euros, depending on the variety. In addition, most hybrid varieties are grafted onto young plants of the wild form Hamamelis virginiana because they can only be propagated vegetatively.
leaves
The leaves of the witch hazel are also reminiscent of the leaves of the hazelnut. However, the alternately arranged witch hazel foliage is smaller and slightly thicker. The bright autumn color looks particularly pretty, which can range from yellow to orange-red depending on the variety and sunlight.
Bloom and flowering time
The flowers, which are located on short side shoots, consist of several elongated, thread-shaped and narrow petals that curl up when exposed to frost. In this way, witch hazel flowers can withstand cold temperatures of up to minus ten degrees Celsius. This is also necessary because, with the exception of the Virginian witch hazel, which blooms in autumn, all other species and varieties show their colorful splendor between January and March / April. Strong colors such as yellow, orange and red predominate, although some varieties - such as Hamamelis intermedia 'Pallida' - also exude a delicate floral scent.
Due to their early flowering period, witch hazel bushes are valuable food plants for insects such as bees and bumblebees.
Fruits
Hamamelis develops woody capsule fruits that look very similar to hazelnuts and ripen until late autumn. Each fruit contains only two flat, black seeds, which are ejected several meters when the fruit ripens. If you want to harvest seeds, remove the capsule fruits shortly before they ripen - otherwise you will no longer find the tiny seeds, but instead you will find a new witch hazel bush that has secretly grown at some point in a hidden garden niche. Hybrid varieties are usually sterile and wither without producing fruit.
Is witch hazel poisonous?
Witch hazel species are not considered poisonous, and Virginian witch hazel in particular is even used in medicine. However, bark and other plant parts are primarily used externally and not internally or even in the kitchen. In principle, however, the fruits are edible.read more
Which location is suitable?
Plant the witch hazel as a solitaire in a location that is as sunny as possible. The bushes need a lot of light and often stop flowering and growing in only partially shaded places. Furthermore, the location should be protected from the wind to protect the flowers from extreme frost during periods of severe cold. A spot in front of a house wall or a hedge is ideal.read more
Floor
When it comes to the soil, witch hazel has great demands: the soil should be rich in nutrients and humus, deep and well-drained, but at the same time fresh to rather moist. Witch hazels do not tolerate drought or waterlogging, which is why very sandy soils are just as unsuitable as heavy loamy or even clayey substrates. Mulch the root area after planting to retain moisture in the soil longer and protect it from drying out.
pot culture
Magic nuts can be cultivated very well in pots and other planters, as long as they are not too small. The size of the pot depends on the size of the plant, although small young plants should be repotted every one to two years. What is important when growing in containers, however, is that the plants in them are not sufficiently hardy: the small amount of soil does not protect the roots from freezing. Therefore, when there is frost, pot specimens should either be kept in a bright and cool place or you should carefully pack the planter in insulating materials.
Also keep the witch hazel evenly moist and fertilize it regularly during the growing season between April and September - the shrub has both high water and strong nutrient needs.
Planting witch hazel correctly
Dig the planting site thoroughly, loosen the soil and collect stones and weeds. Before planting, dip the root ball in a bucket of water so that the plant can soak up the moisture. Then place the shrub in the planting hole, whereby the surface of the pot ball must still be visible - if you plant it too deep, the witch hazel will inevitably offend you. Then mulch the root area and neither work on it with garden tools nor underplant it with ground cover or other plants. Witch hazel react very sensitively to root pressure, and they also need at least three years to grow into their new location.read more
What is the best time to plant?
Magic nuts are best planted in early autumn, when the soil is still warm and the weather is mild. This applies especially to nursery products. Container goods, on the other hand, can generally be planted all year round, as long as the climate is not too extreme: witch hazel should not be planted in the garden either in the dry, hot summer months or in freezing temperatures in winter.read more
The correct planting distance
Magic nuts grow slowly, but over the years they can reach an impressive height and become almost as wide. Some old witch hazel bushes, which also have very sensitive roots and react poorly to root competition, need up to three or even four meters. For this reason, the shrubs are not suitable for beds and borders, but should always be planted as solitary plants with plenty of space around them.
Water witch hazel
Planted witch hazels basically do not require any additional watering. However, you can make an exception during longer dry periods; moderate watering makes sense during this time.
Fertilize witch hazel properly
Provide your witch hazel once or twice a year - if possible in March / April and if necessary in early summer - with organic fertilizers such as compost (add a handful of horn shavings for nitrogen supply) or self-made plant manure. The latter, especially when it comes to nettle and comfrey manure, not only contain all the important nutrients, but also strengthen the plant's own immune system. However, always add some rock dust to provide minerals.
Cutting the witch hazel correctly
The witch hazel is very sensitive to cutting, which is why you should avoid cutting it back. Just remove old and dried branches and thin out the naturally loose-growing bush only a little after flowering and if necessary. Also, only cut young shoots and leave old wood alone: otherwise unsightly gaps will arise that will be difficult to close due to slow growth.read more
Propagate witch hazel
Propagate witch hazel yourself is a difficult task. The easiest way to do this is to use sinkers, which are only separated from the mother plant after roots have formed. Cuttings, on the other hand, take a lot of time to root, require high humidity and a lot of heat - and yet often remain very small.
Propagation via seeds requires a lot of patience, as the cold germinator has to be stratified over two winters. To do this, collect the seeds, transplant them into a moist growing medium and store them in the vegetable compartment of the refrigerator over the winter. The seeds spend spring, summer and autumn in their container in a shady spot in the garden and are then stored in the refrigerator for the second winter. It is only in the second spring that the seeds are ready to germinate and can now be moved into seed pots. During all these months you have to make sure that the substrate does not dry out or even become moldy.read more
How do I transplant correctly?
If the witch hazel has been in its location for more than three years, you should, if possible, not transplant it. The shrub tolerates this very poorly and, if it doesn't die straight away, will at least not bloom again for a few years. However, sometimes such a measure is unavoidable, but must be well prepared:
- Dig a trench around the witch hazel in the fall.
- This should be twice as wide in diameter as the witch hazel is high.
- Dig about 60 centimeters deep.
- Fill the trench with mature compost.
- Water the witch hazel well.
- Transplant the shrub to its new location one year later next fall.
Through this preparatory measure, the shrub develops a compact root ball close to the trunk, so that root loss is not as serious later.read more
Diseases and pests
The witch hazel is a very robust and he althy garden plant that is rarely affected by diseases or pests.
Witch hazel doesn't bloom, what to do?
There are many reasons why witch hazel fails to bloom. Common causes are: lack of light, drought, waterlogging, lack of nutrients and severe frost. In the event of frost, however, the flowering does not always stop, but is simply postponed for a few weeks. In addition, the plants often only bloom for the first time three to four years after planting.
Tip
Make sure there is sufficient water supply, especially during dry and hot summer months, otherwise the flowers will not bloom in the coming winter.
Species and varieties
Six different species are grouped together under the generic name witch hazel. Of particular interest for the garden are the Hamamelis mollis (Chinese witch hazel) and Hamamelis japonica (Japanese witch hazel), which come from East Asia, as well as their hybrid varieties (Hamamelis x intermedia). These variants are characterized by flowering that begins very early in the year and lasts for a long time. The Hamamelis virginiana (Virginian witch hazel), which comes from North America, shows its unusual flowers in autumn. This is also used as a medicinal plant.
The most beautiful hybrid varieties
Crosses of Chinese (also known as Candlemas witch hazel) and Japanese witch hazel are available for the home garden. These are characterized by long-lasting flowering and a wide variety of varieties. All varieties listed here are hardy.
- 'Angelly': lemon-yellow flower, yellow-red autumn color, growth height up to approx. 160 centimeters, growth width up to approx. 100 centimeters
- 'Orange Beauty': bright yellow-orange blossom, yellow-red autumn color, growth height up to 350 centimeters, growth width up to approx. 175 centimeters
- 'Ruby Glow': dark red flowers, golden yellow autumn colors, growth height up to 300 centimeters, growth width up to approx. 200 centimeters
- 'Fire Magic': brown-violet to garnet-red flowers, yellow-red autumn color, growth height up to 300 centimeters, growth width up to approx. 175 centimeters
- 'Primavera': light yellow flowers, yellow autumn colours, growth height up to 350 centimeters, growth width up to approx. 200 centimeters
- 'Barmstedt's Gold': golden yellow flowers, yellow to red-orange autumn colors, growth height up to 350 centimeters, growth width up to approx. 175 centimeters
- 'Diane': wine-red flowers, bright red to yellow autumn colors, growth height up to 300 centimeters, growth width up to approx. 200 centimeters
- 'Aphrodite': orange-red flower, dark yellow to orange autumn color, growth height up to 400 centimeters, growth width up to approx. 250 centimeters
- 'Arnold Promise': bright yellow flowers, yellow to bright red autumn color, growth height up to 300 centimeters, growth width up to approx. 150 centimeters
- 'Westerstede': light yellow flowers, yellow to orange autumn colors, growth height up to 300 centimeters, growth width up to 300 centimeters
- 'Jelena': orange blossom, orange-red autumn color, growth height up to 300 centimeters, growth width up to 150 centimeters
- 'Pallida': sulfur yellow flower, yellow autumn color, growth height up to 300 centimeters, growth width up to 300 centimeters
