Hamamelis virginiana Common Witchhazel

• Habitat– native to eastern and

central United States – zone 4, possibly 3 – an understory small tree

or shrub of deciduous forests

Hamamelis virginiana Common Witchhazel

• Habit and Form– a deciduous small tree or

large shrub – 10' to 15' tall in most

instances – can reach 30' tall – nearly as wide as tall – develops an irregular, but

rounded outline – loose an somewhat open, but

attractive – multi-stemmed

Hamamelis virginiana Common Witchhazel

• Summer Foliage– alternate, simple leaves – obovate to elliptical with

uneven base – leaves are 3" to 6" long; 2" to

3.5" wide – margins of leaves are coarsely

toothed – bright to dark green – clean and attractive – new leaves emerge reddish-

bronze • Autumn Foliage

– clear yellow – often quite showy

Hamamelis virginiana Common Witchhazel

• Flowers– spider-like with 4

narrow, crinkled petals – yellow – light, spicy fragrance – the last woody plant to

flower – bloom time is October

and November after foliage drop

Hamamelis virginiana Common Witchhazel

• Bark– smooth gray to gray

brown

• Culture– full sun to partial shade – prefers a moist, cool,

acidic soil – somewhat pollution

tolerant