Chinese Fighazel is a broadleaf evergreen shrub or small tree in the witch hazel family. It was introduced by Ernest Wilson in 1901. It grows 10 to 12 feet tall and wide and has dark, glossy green leaves. It will take on a low canopy and is suitable as an understory planting. In late winter to early spring, clusters of creamy white flowers appear. The flower clusters are less than 1" long. The cluster will contain six to ten stamens with reddish-brown bracts that enclose the inflorescence. Its anthers are yellow with a tinge of orange. It grows in moist well-drained soils in sun to partial shade. Use as an ornamental tree, for screening, in mass plantings, or as an informal hedge. In colder climates, a thick layer of mulch will add a layer of protection. This low-maintenance plant can be pruned to keep its form. Pruning should be accomplished after flowering to avoid the removal of its current season's flowers Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Typically insect and disease-free.
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Fills a similar nicheCamellia japonica 'Kramer' s Supreme'Camellia japonica 'White by the Gate'Escallonia rubra
Full plant profile
Growing Conditions
Plant type
Shrub; Tree
Life cycle
Woody
USDA zones
7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
Light
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil texture
Clay; Loam (Silt); Sand
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0); Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Moist
Available space
6-feet-12 feet
NC region
Coastal; Mountains; Piedmont
Mature size
Height: 10 ft. 0 in. - 12 ft. 0 in. | Width: 10 ft. 0 in. - 12 ft. 0 in.
Growth rate
Medium
Maintenance
Low
Canopy layer
3 - Shrub (3-15 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Conical; Oval; Rounded
Texture
Medium
Foliage
Broadleaf Evergreen
Leaf color
Green
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf arrangement
Alternate
Leaf shape
Lanceolate; Ovate
Leaf margin
Entire; Serrate
Leaf feel
Glossy; Leathery
Leaf value
Showy
Leaf size
3-6 inches long, 1-3 inches wide
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
Lustrous, dark green leaves, 2-4" long. Base cuneate or obtuse, margin entire or distally serrate, apex acuminate. The underside is a lighter green.
Flower color
Gold/Yellow
Flower value
Showy
Flower form
Spike
Flower size
< 1 inch
Flower detail
Tufted, petal-less, small yellowish flowers with long red anthers bloom in late winter to early spring.
Bloom time
Spring; Winter
Fruit type
Capsule
Fruit size
< 1 inch long
Fruit detail
The fruit is an egg-shaped capsule.
Bark color
Dark Gray
Stem detail
Young branches with scales, older dark brown and smooth. It grows as a multi-stemmed plant.
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Non-native
Origin
China and Taiwan
Play value
Attractive Flowers; Buffer; Colorful; Screening
Food & Medicine
Fruit type
Capsule
Landscape Use
Landscape location
Patio; Small Space; Woodland
Landscape theme
Cottage Garden
Design feature
Accent; Barrier; Border; Hedge; Mass Planting; Small groups; Small Tree; Understory Tree