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Common Witch Hazel

By Ellen Menounos, MCH

Why This Plant Shines Common witch hazel manages to be something different and something common at the same time. It’s a shrub or understory tree that grows all the way from Florida to Maine, pushing west to Texas and the Great Lakes region. This is a huge range, which bodes well for this plant’s adaptability in a changing climate. This witch-hazel sets itself apart by flowering in late fall. This is the same plant used to create the astringent sold at drug stores.

The witch hazel growth habit is open and somewhat irregular, so it fits in well in a naturalistic setting. Use it in a mixed hedgerow or border when the planting bed is at least 8–10 ft. deep. This plant needs little to no pruning. It looks nice among evergreens and makes a bold statement paired with oakleaf hydrangea or evergreen hollies. Facts and Features Botanical Name: Hamamelis virginiana Common Name: Commomn witch hazel Type: Deciduous shrub Exposure: Sun to part shade Fall Color: Yellow-gold Size: 15–20’ x same Growth Rate: Moderate Soil: pH adaptable, but not necessarily tolerant of high pH Moisture: Prefers moist-to-moderate, but tolerant of dry and city conditions

Ellen Menounos is a programs associate at Grow Native Massachusetts.

Harvard, MA • Tel: 978.635.0409 • Fax: 978.635.9840 • acorntree@me.com