Witch Hazel Hamamelis mollis
Other Common Name(s):
Other plants called Witch Hazel:
- Phonetic Spelling
- ham-uh-MEE-lis MAW-liss
- Description
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Chinese Witch Hazel is a deciduous, flowering shrub native to western China. Although Chinese Witch Hazel is not as hardy as other Hamamelis spp., it is the most fragrant witch hazel with flowers that appear in January through March. It can be grown as a large shrub or small tree and should be pruned in spring after flowering to control the size and shape. When pruning, keep in mind that flowers will appear on old growth. The genus name comes from the Greek hama for "at same time" and melon meaning apple in reference to the occurrence of both fruit and flowers at the same time on this shrub. The species name means soft with soft hairs.
Chinese Witch Hazel prefers moist, acidic, well drained soil, full sun to partial shade, and tolerates clay soils as long as the drainage is good. However, it does best with consistent moisture and may suffer from leaf scorch in hot, dry summers. It spreads by root suckers which should be pruned to restrain colonization.
Quick ID Hints:
- Flowers in axillary clusters, 4 ligulate petals
- Deciduous shrub to small tree with zig-zag twigs
- Leaf buds and young twigs tomentose
- Native form flowers in late fall to early winter. Other species flower in late winter.
- Leaves turn yellow in fall.
Diseases, Insect Pests, and Other Plant Problems:
No serious pests. Caterpillars and beetles may chew on the leaves.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Brevipetala
- Early Bright
- Pallida
- 'Pallida'
- Princeton Gold
- Brevipetala
- Brevipetala, Early Bright, Pallida, 'Pallida', Princeton Gold
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- Brevipetala
- Early Bright
- Pallida
- 'Pallida'
- Princeton Gold
- Brevipetala
- Brevipetala, Early Bright, Pallida, 'Pallida', Princeton Gold
- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Hamamelis
- Species:
- mollis
- Family:
- Hamamelidaceae
- Uses (Ethnobotany):
- Has been used as a medicinal plant. The bark and leaves produce a topical astringent.
- Life Cycle:
- Woody
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Western and west-central China
- Wildlife Value:
- Fruit serves as food source for small mammals and birds.
- Play Value:
- Attractive Flowers
- Edible fruit
- Fragrance
- Wildlife Food Source
- Dimensions:
- Height: 10 ft. 0 in. - 16 ft. 6 in.
- Width: 10 ft. 0 in. - 20 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Shrub
- Tree
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Oval
- Rounded
- Spreading
- Growth Rate:
- Slow
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Medium
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- High Organic Matter
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Occasionally Wet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Black
- Fruit Value To Gardener:
- Edible
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
- Fruit Description:
- A two-valved dihiscent capsule.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Gold/Yellow
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Cyme
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Winter
- Flower Shape:
- Cup
- Flower Description:
- Yellow flowers with red-brown calyx cups in late winter to early spring; fragrant; strap-shaped petals. Yellow, four strap-like crumpled petals. Inflorescence a cyme in leaf axils.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Orange
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Orange
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Obovate
- Ovate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Alternate, ovate to obovate, toothed, base oblique; leaf buds pubescent.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Description:
- Young stems zig-zag, pubescent; older glabrous, smooth.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Recreational Play Area
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Children's Garden
- Edible Garden
- Winter Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Specimen
- Attracts:
- Small Mammals
- Songbirds
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Compaction
- Deer
- Erosion
