Hamamelis virginiana
Common Witchhazel
Eastern US, Canada south to Georgia, west to Nebraska
Small tree to large shrub with several large, crooked, spreading branches forming an irregular crown
Prefers full sun and moist soils
Hamamelis viginiana is native to the Eastern United States and is therefore appropriate for naturalistic situations. It grows 20-30 feet as a small tree or large shrub with crooked, spreading branches forming an open, rounded, irregular crown. The branches are architecturally beautiful. The leaves are medium green in summer and yellow in fall. It can be stunning in the fall. The flowers bloom in October through November and are sweetly fragrant. They're yellow with strap-like crumpled petals. This is the plant from which the medicinal astringent comes is derived. Witchhazel works best in a shrub border, near large buildings in shaded areas.
Medium green in summer. Alternate, simple, obovate or elliptic 3 to 6 inches long, yellow fall color.
Buds are naked, brownish, tomentose, terminal .25 to .5 inches long
brown
Perfect, yellow, fragrant, four strap-like lobes .66 inches long
Capsule, .5 inches long, pubescent
Seed is best, cuttings are feasible.
'Lemon Lime'
'Mohonk Red'
'Green Thumb'