Ozark Witch Hazel (Hamamelis vernalis)
ham-ah-MAY-lis vernalis

Deciduous Perennial in the Hamamelidaceae Family

Hamamelis vernalis is a deciduous shrub native to the central United States, primarily found in the Ozark and Ouachita mountain regions. It belongs to the Hamamelidaceae family, which includes the well-known Witch Hazel (Hamamelis) genus.

Vernal Witch Hazel is a multi-stemmed, suckering shrub that typically grows 6-8 feet tall and 8-12 feet wide. Its arching, spreading branches are clothed in distinctive, oval-shaped leaves that emerge reddish-purple in spring, mature to dark green in summer, and then transform to vibrant shades of yellow, orange and red in fall.

The main attraction of Hamamelis vernalis, however, is its incredibly fragrant, spider-like flowers that bloom in late winter to early spring, even when the plant is bare of leaves. The delicate, spidery blooms appear in clusters and come in shades of yellow, orange, red, or copper. Their sweet, spicy scent is a welcoming harbinger of the approaching spring season.

This Witch Hazel species thrives in full sun to partial shade and prefers moist, acidic, well-drained soils. It is adaptable to a range of soil types and tolerates both clay and sandy conditions. Hamamelis vernalis is also known for its excellent drought tolerance once established.

In the garden, Vernal Witch Hazel makes an excellent specimen shrub, border plant, or foundation planting. Its early blooming habit and multi-season interest make it a valuable addition to mixed shrub borders, woodland gardens, and naturalized areas. The shrub's suckering habit also allows it to be used effectively for erosion control on slopes.

Overall, Hamamelis vernalis is a hardy, low-maintenance, and highly ornamental native shrub that brings welcomed color, fragrance and winter interest to the landscape. Its unique, captivating flowers and attractive foliage make it a standout choice for four-season beauty.
 

Plant Data

Mature Size 6 - 8 feet tall. 8 - 12 feet wide.
Sun Exposure Partial Shade - Full Sun
Moisture Tolerance Medium
Zones 4a - 8b (Usually hardy to -30° F)
Tags Deciduous, Fall Color, Full Sun, Good for Rain Garden, Medium, Native to North America, Partial Shade, Partial Sun, Perennial, Popular For Fall, Wet Site Tolerant
Bloom Period January to April
Flower Color Yellow, Orange, Red, or Copper
Foliage Color Reddish-purple
 

More Info from Experts
Ozark Witch Hazel in winter
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Pricing and Availability History

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Limited Availability

We try very hard to source exactly what you’d like, but sometimes growers run out of plants! While this variety is a great deal at the price shown, we know that it has limited availability. If you want the plant even if it might be more expensive, or in a different size or quantity -- after you place your order, just send us a quick note at help@northshoreplantclub.com. Then, we’ll try to get you some version of this from one of our growers. And if we can’t get it from anywhere, of course, we’ll send a refund!


Field-Grown vs. Greenhouse-Grown Plants

Plants which are well-adapted to our local climate are most often field-grown (outside). Field-grown plants are generally cheaper and have the advantage of already somewhat acclimated to our cold winters, but that means they’re not artificially far along in the spring and tend to bloom at the normal time in our area.

Spring annuals and tender perennials are typically grown in Greenhouses so they can be ready and luxurious exactly when customers want them. Some perennials are also “forced” into early bloom in greenhouses. In May, there can be a very big difference between field-grown and greenhouse-grown plants of the same type. The latter typically look good right away (so they’re a great choice where that’s important), but we typically pay a premium for it.


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No Pricing or Availability Right Now

We order from a rotating cast of the best nurseries in the Great Lakes region. It looks like we've offered this plant in the past, but the nurseries we're working with this week don't appear to have it in stock at the moment.

Our goal is to bring as many plants together under "one roof" as possible, so we'll try hard to make it available again in the future!