Hamamelis hybrids

Witch hazel hybrids are deciduous shrubs in the Hamamelidaceae (witch hazel) family and are often cross between native and Asian plants. For example, Hamamelis x intermedia is the hybrid of H. japonica and H. mollis. These hybrid witch hazels can grow 12-20 feet tall and wide with multiple stems in an open form. The fragrant flowers are in various colors and appear in February to March for several weeks adding winter interest to the landscape. Most hybrids have fall colors in yellow to reds.

Witch Hazels prefer moist acidic well-drained organically rich soils in full sun to part shade but are considered to be adaptable. They will tolerate clay soils if it is well-drained. Use as a hedge, shrub border, specimen or in the woodland garden.

Prune this shrub in spring after it has bloomed and remove suckers as needed. Keep in mind that next years flowers will appear on old growth.

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Caterpillars and Japanese beetles can eat the leaves. Gall aphids, weevils, scale, leafroller and leafminer. Potential diseases include powdery mildew, occasional leaf spots and rots.

VIDEO created by Andy Pulte for “Landscape Plant Identification, Taxonomy and Morphology” a plant identification course offered by the Department of Plant Sciences, University of Tennessee.