Hamamelis virginiana 'Little Suzie'
Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Hamamelis virginica var. macrophylla
- Phonetic Spelling
- ham-ah-MAY-lis ver-jin-ee-AY-nah
- Description
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'Little Suzie' is a cultivar of a native deciduous shrub in the Hamamelidaceae (witch hazel) family. At 4 to 5 feet tall and wide, 'Little Suzie' is a more compact, showier shrub that blooms at a younger age and more densely than the species. The genus name Hamamelis comes from the Greek word hama, meaning at the same time, and melon, which means fruit and refers to the fact that the plant can have both flowers and fruits appear at the same time, a somewhat rare feature. The species name virginiana means the plant is from Virginia.
Grow this plant in full sun to partial shade and moist, highly organic, acidic clay soil with good drainage. It will tolerate occasional flooding and is resistant to deer. The plant also tolerates pruning to maintain its shape, but keep in mind that flowers will appear on old growth.
As a specimen, border, or hedge, ‘Little Suzie’ will brighten the garden in winter. Its early winter bloom also provides food for pollinators at a time when other plants are not in bloom, so use it in a winter, children’s, native, or pollinator garden. Its affinity for moist soil also makes it suitable for riparian areas.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Caterpillars, Japanese beetles, leaf gall aphids, weevils, scale, leafroller, and leafminer are occasional pests. Powdery mildew, leaf spots, and rots are occasional diseases. The foliage may be subject to damage from insect galls (small wasps), but it does not harm the plant.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Cultivars / Varieties:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Hamamelis
- Species:
- virginiana 'Little Suzie'
- Family:
- Hamamelidaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Woody
- Play Value:
- Attractive Flowers
- Fragrance
- Dimensions:
- Height: 4 ft. 0 in. - 5 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 4 ft. 0 in. - 5 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Shrub
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Dense
- Erect
- Multi-stemmed
- Rounded
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Coarse
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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
- Available Space To Plant:
- 6-feet-12 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Green
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Winter
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- Green maturing to brown. Matures following season
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Cyme
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Fall
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- Flowers are unusual; thin, crinkled, yellow clusters. Capitate clusters of 3.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Velvety
- Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Elliptical
- Obovate
- Ovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Crenate
- Dentate
- Hairs Present:
- Yes
- Leaf Length:
- 3-6 inches
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Bark:
- Bark Color:
- Light Gray
- Surface/Attachment:
- Smooth
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Form:
- Zig Zags
- Stem Surface:
- Smooth (glabrous)
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Landscape:
- Landscape Theme:
- Rain Garden
- Winter Garden
- Design Feature:
- Screen/Privacy
- Specimen
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Erosion
- Fire