Vernal Witch Hazel Hamamelis vernalis
Other Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Hamamelis vernalis var. tomentella
- Phonetic Spelling
- ham-ah-MAY-lis ver-NAH-lis
- Description
-
Ozark Witch Hazel is a tough, durable plant. It is easy to grow in both sun and partial shade but flowers best in full sun. It tolerates clay soils as long as the drainage is good. Although it is drought tolerant, 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. Keep in mind when pruning that flowers will appear on old growth.
Ozark Witch Hazel adds winter interest to the garden, flowering from January to early March in a variety of colors from yellow to reddish-purple with petals resembling twisted ribbons.
Potential problems: Caterpillars, Japanese beetles, leaf gall aphids, weevils, scale, leafroller, leafminer. powdery mildew, occasional leaf spots, and rots.
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
Deciduous shrub or small tree to 16.5'.
Native form flowers in late fall to early winter. Other species flower in late winter. Leaves turn yellow in fall.
Prefers well-drained, moist, acid, organic soil; full sun or partial shade; intolerant drought; no serious pests.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Quasimodo'
- 'Sandra'
- 'Quasimodo'
- 'Quasimodo', 'Sandra'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Quasimodo'
- 'Sandra'
- 'Quasimodo'
- 'Quasimodo', 'Sandra'
- Tags:
-
-
Attributes:
- Genus:
- Hamamelis
- Species:
- vernalis
- Family:
- Hamamelidaceae
- Uses (Ethnobotany):
- Native Americans are known to have boiled twigs to create soothing medications for wounds, muscle soreness, insect bites, bruises, and burns.
- Life Cycle:
- Woody
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Grafting
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Southern and Central US (Ozark Plateau)
- Distribution:
- Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri
- Play Value:
- Edible fruit
- Fragrance
- Pieces Used in Games
- Wildlife Food Source
- Dimensions:
- Height: 6 ft. 0 in. - 16 ft. 6 in.
- Width: 10 ft. 0 in. - 15 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Perennial
- Shrub
- Tree
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Dense
- Multi-stemmed
- Rounded
- Vase
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Fine
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-
Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- 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:
- Clay
- High Organic Matter
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Occasionally Wet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Fruit Value To Gardener:
- Edible
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
- Fruit Description:
- A non-showy dehiscent capsule, two-valved dihiscent.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Orange
- Red/Burgundy
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Cyme
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Winter
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- A cyme in leaf axils. Yellow, four strap-like crumpled petals.
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-
Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Gold/Yellow
- Green
- Purple/Lavender
- Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- 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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Bark:
- Bark Color:
- Light Brown
- Light Gray
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Form:
- Zig Zags
- Stem Description:
- Young stems zig-zag, pubescent; older glabrous, smooth.
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-
Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Recreational Play Area
- Riparian
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Children's Garden
- Rain Garden
- Winter Garden
- Design Feature:
- Flowering Tree
- Hedge
- Specimen
- Attracts:
- Songbirds
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
