Witch Hazel

Hamamelis virginiana (ham-ah-MAY-lis ver-jin-ee-AY-nah)

Family: Hamamelidaceae Native Understory (15-40 ft)

Witch hazel is a deciduous shrub or small tree in the witch hazel family (Hamamelidaceae) native to eastern North America (including North Carolina), where it may be found growing along woodland margins and stream banks. The genus name is compounded from the Greek words hama , meaning “at the same time,” and melon , meaning “fruit” and refers to the fact that the plant can have both flowers and fruits at the same time, a somewhat unusual feature. The species is Latin for “Virginian.” Plant in full sun to partial shade, though the best flowering will be seen in full sun locations. Soil should be moist, acidic, humus-rich and well-draining. Pruning is not usually necessary except to maintain its shape. Pruning can be done in early spring, but keep in mind that flowers will appear on old growth. Witch hazel is intolerant of drought, but it does tolerate heavy clay soil, erosion and browsing by deer. The leaves of this woody ornamental shrub turn an attractive yellow color in the fall. It flowers anywhere from late fall to late winter with yellow flowers with strappy petals that brighten winter landscapes. This plant serves as a host plant for the larvae of the Witch hazel dagger moth ( Acronicta hamamelis ) . Plant witch hazel in a winter garden, native garden, pollinator garden, or along a woodland margin. Its dense canopy makes for a good spring and summer screen or tall hedge. Specimens can be pruned into small trees and used in patio plantings. Quick ID Hints: Flowers in axillary clusters with four strap-like petals Deciduous shrub to small tree with zig-zag twigs Leaf buds and young twigs tomentose Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No serious pests. Caterpillars, Japanese beetles, leaf gall aphids, weevils, scale, leafroller, and leafminer are occasional pests. Powdery mildew, leaf spots, and rots are occasional diseases. The foliage may be subject to damage from insect galls (small wasps), but it does not harm the plant.

Source: NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox ↗ Reconciled to full toolbox: matched by slug to slug 'hamamelis-virginiana'. Identity (id/common/scientific name) preserved from the original 87-plant Hunnicutt set; attribute data refreshed from the 70-attribute toolbox scrape.