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Hamamelis virginiana

Common Witchhazel

Pronunciation
ham-a-me'lis ver-jin-i-a'na
Genus
Nativity

Eastern US, Canada south to Georgia, west to Nebraska

Growth Habit

Small tree to large shrub with several large, crooked, spreading branches forming an irregular crown

Hardiness
3
Culture

Prefers full sun and moist soils

Facultative Status
Prefers moist, well drained soil
Landscape Use

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.

Foliage

Medium green in summer. Alternate, simple, obovate or elliptic 3 to 6 inches long, yellow fall color.

Buds

Buds are naked, brownish, tomentose, terminal .25 to .5 inches long

Bark

brown

Flower

Perfect, yellow, fragrant, four strap-like lobes .66 inches long

Fruit

Capsule, .5 inches long, pubescent

Propagation

Seed is best, cuttings are feasible.

Pests
None serious.
Cultivars

'Lemon Lime'

'Mohonk Red'

'Green Thumb'

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