Witch Hazel (Hamamelis) is a genus of deciduous shrubs known for their unique, ribbon-like flowers that bloom during the late winter to early spring, a time when few other plants are in flower. These plants are native to North America and parts of Asia, and they are celebrated for their ability to bring color and fragrance to the garden during the colder months. The flowers, which range from yellow to red, often have a sweet scent that can permeate the air, making Witch Hazel a sensory delight in the dormant season.
Witch Hazel plants have historical and contemporary uses in herbal medicine. The bark and leaves of the plant contain tannins and other compounds that have astringent properties, which are used in various skincare products to soothe inflammation, reduce swelling, and treat skin irritations. In traditional medicine, especially among Native American tribes, Witch Hazel was used for treating ailments ranging from cuts and bruises to more serious conditions like dysentery.
Witch Hazel shrubs are relatively low-maintenance, preferring well-drained, acidic to neutral soil. They can grow in full sun to partial shade, though they often produce more vibrant autumn foliage and better flowering in locations with some afternoon shade. These plants are also valued for their autumn display, with leaves turning into brilliant shades of yellow, orange, and red, thus providing year-round interest in the garden. Their size, which can range from small to large shrubs, makes them versatile for various landscape designs, from borders and hedges to standalone specimens or woodland gardens.
Types of Witch Hazel Varieties
Common Witch Hazel (Hamamelis virginiana)
Native to North America, particularly from Nova Scotia to Florida and west to Minnesota. This is the most widely known variety, native to North America. It blooms in late fall to early winter with yellow, fragrant flowers. It’s valued not only for its ornamental qualities but also for its medicinal properties, particularly in skincare products.
Vernal Witch Hazel (Hamamelis vernalis)
From the Ozark Plateau in Missouri, Oklahoma, and Arkansas of the central United States, this variety is known for its early blooming period, often starting in late winter. It offers a spectrum of colors from yellow to copper-red, making it a garden favorite for its hardiness and color variation.
‘Pallida’ (Hamamelis x intermedia ‘Pallida’)
This hybrid cultivar, a cross between H. japonica and H. mollis, does well in USDA zones 5-8. A hybrid cultivar, ‘Pallida’ is prized for its large, sweetly scented, soft yellow flowers that appear in late winter. It’s one of the more popular varieties due to its vibrant blooms and the way they contrast against the bare branches.
‘Diane’ (Hamamelis x intermedia ‘Diane’)
This cultivar is renowned for its deep red to copper flowers, which are quite striking against the winter landscape. It’s a bit more sensitive to late frosts but offers a beautiful, bold color when it does bloom.
‘Arnold Promise’ (Hamamelis x intermedia ‘Arnold Promise’)
Another hybrid, ‘Arnold Promise’ produces bright yellow flowers that have a sweet fragrance. It’s one of the later bloomers among the intermedia hybrids, often flowering into late winter or early spring, providing a long season of interest.
Chinese Witch Hazel (Hamamelis mollis)
Native to China, this species is noted for its richly scented, golden-yellow flowers which can be somewhat larger than those of other species. Its flowers often appear in mid to late winter, bringing a burst of color and scent to the garden.
Japanese Witch Hazel (Hamamelis japonica)
Hailing from Japan, this species is somewhat less common in Western gardens but suitable for USDA zones 5-8. It features smaller, less fragrant flowers, often in reddish hues, that bloom in early spring.
‘Jelena’ (Hamamelis x intermedia ‘Jelena’)
Like other intermedia hybrids originating from European cultivation. ‘Jelena’ is a standout for its coppery-orange flowers, which are both fragrant and visually stunning. This variety can brighten up the greyest winter days with its warm tones and is considered one of the best for ornamental value.
‘Brevipetala’ (Hamamelis x intermedia ‘Brevipetala’)
This hybrid, like others in its group, was developed in Europe. ‘Brevipetala’ is noted for its shorter petals, giving it a distinct look among the intermedia hybrids. Its flowers are a rich yellow, sometimes with hints of orange, blooming in late winter. The plant grows to a medium size, offering a good balance of ornamental and practical garden uses, with its dense habit making it suitable for screening or as a specimen plant.
‘Ruby Glow’ (Hamamelis x intermedia ‘Ruby Glow’)
Another intermedia hybrid, this variety is particularly admired for its deep, ruby-red flowers that glow against the winter backdrop, hence its name. The blooms are less fragrant than some other varieties but compensate with their stunning color. ‘Ruby Glow’ can grow quite large, making it an excellent choice for larger gardens or as a focal point where its vibrant flowers can be appreciated from afar.
‘Primavera’ (Hamamelis x intermedia ‘Primavera’)
‘Primavera’ hails from European cultivation. Its name means “spring” in Italian, reflecting its bright yellow flowers that suggest the coming of spring even in the depths of winter. This variety is known for its strong, sweet fragrance, which can perfume the garden on mild days. ‘Primavera’ has a more spreading habit, which can be ideal for covering larger areas or as an informal hedge.
‘Orange Beauty’ (Hamamelis x intermedia ‘Orange Beauty’)
‘Orange Beauty’ is another European hybrid known for its vibrant orange flowers. These blooms are not only visually striking but also carry a subtle scent, adding a touch of warmth to the winter garden. The plant’s leaves turn to vibrant colors in autumn, providing additional ornamental value. ‘Orange Beauty’ has a rounded growth habit, making it suitable for small to medium-sized gardens where space is at a premium.
‘Livia’ (Hamamelis x intermedia ‘Livia’)
‘Livia’ has large, copper-red flowers that appear in late winter. This variety has a more open growth habit, which can be advantageous for underplanting or allowing light to reach the ground below. The flowers are moderately fragrant, and the autumn foliage turns a brilliant scarlet, offering year-round interest.
‘Wisley Supreme’ (Hamamelis x intermedia ‘Wisley Supreme’)
This cultivar was named after the famous RHS Garden Wisley in England. It boasts bright yellow flowers with a strong fragrance, making it a garden favorite. The blooms appear in late winter to early spring, and the plant itself has a somewhat upright growth, which can be used to create interesting vertical elements in garden design.
‘Westerstede’ (Hamamelis x intermedia ‘Westerstede’)
‘Westerstede’ is known for its clear, pale yellow flowers that are larger than many other intermedia hybrids. This variety offers a sweet, subtle fragrance that can be detected on warmer winter days. Its growth habit is more sprawling, which can be advantageous for covering ground or creating informal barriers in the garden.
‘Aphrodite’ (Hamamelis x intermedia ‘Aphrodite’)
Suited for USDA zones 5-8, ‘Aphrodite’ is admired for its fragrant, coppery-orange to red flowers, which are among the largest in the intermedia group. Named after the Greek goddess of love, its blooms are not just visually appealing but also carry a sweet scent. ‘Aphrodite’ has a somewhat more open and spreading habit, which means it needs room to grow, making it ideal for larger spaces or as a striking feature in a winter garden.
‘Feuerzauber’ (Hamamelis x intermedia ‘Feuerzauber’)
Also known as ‘Magic Fire was developed in Germany. ‘Feuerzauber’ boasts fiery red flowers with an orange glow at the base, providing a dramatic contrast in the winter garden. The blooms are fragrant, and its autumn foliage turns a brilliant palette of yellow, orange, and red. This shrub has a more upright growth habit, making it a good choice for smaller gardens or as part of a mixed border.
‘Glowing Embers’ (Hamamelis x intermedia ‘Glowing Embers’)
‘Glowing Embers’ is a cultivar known for its copper-red flowers that indeed seem to glow against the winter sky. The fragrance is mild but sweet, and this plant’s leaves can turn into a spectacular display of fall colors. It has a medium growth rate with a spreading form, which can be useful for creating privacy or as a backdrop for other plants.
‘Rochester’ (Hamamelis x intermedia ‘Rochester’)
Has large, coppery-red flowers that bloom in late winter. This variety has a somewhat open growth habit, providing space for other plants beneath it. Its flowers carry a subtle fragrance, and the autumn leaves turn a brilliant red, making ‘Rochester’ a plant with seasonal interest.
‘Sunburst’ (Hamamelis x intermedia ‘Sunburst’)
‘Sunburst’ has bright yellow, fragrant flowers that appear to burst forth like the sun in winter. This cultivar has a more compact growth habit, which is advantageous for smaller spaces or as part of a shrub border. The foliage turns to striking shades of yellow and orange in the fall, adding to its year-round appeal.
‘Jermyns Gold’ (Hamamelis x intermedia ‘Jermyns Gold’)
This variety is named after Jermyns House in England where it was introduced. ‘Jermyns Gold’ features large, golden-yellow flowers with a sweet, strong fragrance. Its growth is somewhat spreading, making it excellent for covering slopes or as an informal hedge. The autumn color of its leaves adds another layer of beauty with hues of gold and orange.
‘Barmstedt Gold’ (Hamamelis x intermedia ‘Barmstedt Gold’)
‘Barmstedt Gold’ is notable for its large, bright yellow flowers that are deeply fragrant. This cultivar tends to have a more rounded habit, which can be used to create focal points in garden designs or as a standalone specimen. The autumn foliage turns to a vibrant gold, enhancing its seasonal interest.
‘Hiltingbury’ (Hamamelis x intermedia ‘Hiltingbury’)
This variety is known for its rich, coppery-orange flowers which bloom in late winter. ‘Hiltingbury’ has a dense, upright growth habit, making it a good choice for privacy screens or as a windbreak. Its blooms are moderately fragrant, and the leaves in autumn display a mix of yellow and red, providing a colorful transition into winter.
‘Nina’ (Hamamelis x intermedia ‘Nina’)
‘Nina’ offers bright yellow flowers with a delightful fragrance, blooming in late winter. Named after Nina Dobitzhofer, who bred this variety in Germany, ‘Nina’ has a more compact and bushy growth habit, ideal for smaller gardens or container planting. Its autumn leaf color is a vivid yellow, which can make a bold statement in the landscape.