Common Witch Hazel (Hamamelis virginiana)
[ham-ah-MAY-lis ver-jin-ee-AY-nah]

Deciduous Perennial Shrub in the Hamamelidaceae Family
 

Hamamelis virginiana is a deciduous, multi-stemmed shrub or small tree native to eastern North America. It is the most widely distributed species within the Hamamelis genus, which is part of the Hamamelidaceae family.

Common Witch Hazel typically grows 15-20 feet tall and 12-15 feet wide, forming an upright, spreading, and irregularly-shaped plant. Its bark is smooth and gray, while the leaves are large, broad, and oval-shaped, emerging green in spring, maturing to a dark green color in summer, and then transforming to vibrant shades of yellow, orange, or red in fall.

The real showstopper of Hamamelis virginiana, however, is its unique and captivating flowers. These delicate, spidery blooms emerge in late fall, just as the leaves are dropping, and can persist into early winter. The fragrant, ribbon-like petals come in shades of yellow, orange, or red.

One of the most distinctive features of Common Witch Hazel is its ability to bloom so late in the season, providing a welcome burst of color and fragrance when most other plants have gone dormant. This makes the shrub particularly valuable for adding seasonal interest to the landscape.

Hamamelis virginiana thrives in partial shade to full sun and prefers moist, well-drained, acidic soils rich in organic matter. It is highly adaptable, tolerating a range of soil types and conditions, including clay, sand, and even poor, dry soils. The shrub is also known for its excellent drought tolerance once established.

In the garden, Witch Hazel makes an excellent specimen plant, border shrub, or naturalized addition to woodland settings. Its multi-season interest, from the fall flowers to the vibrant autumn foliage, makes it a versatile and valuable landscape plant. The shrub's irregular, arching habit also allows it to be used effectively for erosion control on slopes.

Overall, Hamamelis virginiana is a unique, fragrant, and highly ornamental native shrub that brings a touch of late-season beauty and interest to the garden. Its adaptability, low-maintenance nature, and four-season appeal make it a standout choice for many gardeners.

 

Plant Data

Mature Size 15 - 20 feet tall. 12 - 15 feet wide.
Sun Exposure Partial Sun - Full Shade
Moisture Tolerance Medium
Zones 3a - 8b (Usually hardy to -40° F)
Tags Deciduous, Fall Color, Full Shade, Good for Rain Garden, Illinois Native, Medium, Native to North America, Partial Sun, Perennial, Popular For Fall, Small Tree, Wet Site Tolerant
Bloom Period October to December
Flower Color Yellow Sometimes Tinged With Orange Or Red
Foliage Color Green
 

More Info from Experts

Photos of This with...

Burning Bush, Japanese pachysandra, Yew
 
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Pricing and Availability History

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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!