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Hamamelis virginiana (Virginian Witch Hazel).Witch hazel plant care: how to grow this flowering shrub | GardeningEtc |
Witch hazel zone 3 free
Witch hazel zone 3 free. Which Witchhazel
- Witch hazel zone 3 free
More Information ». Witch hazels Hamamelis spp. Three species have their origins in North America H. With regard to availability of these plants to gardeners, there are four species that are generally grown by the nursery trade, and an ever-increasing number of cultivars.
These are the Chinese witch hazel, the interspecific hybrid Hamamelis x intermedia , and the two North American natives — the common or American witch hazel and the vernal witch hazel. This is a very unique feature of native North American trees. One can find H. In South Carolina, its native range extends over three quarters of the counties throughout the state across all four physiographic regions Mountains, Piedmont, Sandhills and Coastal Plain.
Vernal witch hazel, or Ozark witch hazel, is more Midwest in its range, which extends from Missouri and Arkansas southwest into Oklahoma and Texas. However, most gardeners have turned their attention to the use of Chinese species H. These plants make beautiful, relatively care-free additions to South Carolina landscapes, and deserve more attention. In addition to its ornamental attributes, witch hazel has several medicinal properties including use as an astringent and an anti-inflammatory.
In fact, it is one of the very few American medicinal plants approved as an ingredient in non-prescription drugs by the U. Food and Drug Administration. Witch hazels are generally considered large shrubs, or in some instances small trees. The ultimate or mature size is largely dependent upon the species or cultivar selected, and the growing environment in which it is sited.
Common witch hazel H. Vernal witch hazel H. Hybrid witch hazels H. Plants are typically upright-spreading and rather loosely branched.
The somewhat zigzagging branches offer interesting form, and its upright nature lends itself to an opportunity for under-planting with bulbs or small perennials. Witch hazels are generally considered to be slow growing. However, the hybrid witch hazel does display greater vigor than that of either parent species. One could reasonably expect annual growth of inches under suitable environmental conditions.
As mentioned previously, witch hazels make beautiful, relatively problem-free additions to South Carolina landscapes. They also offer the gardener an interesting and unique plant that truly adds to a four-season landscape.
Flowers of common witch hazel H. The common witch hazel H. The flowers form from groups of three or four stalked buds which open from October to December. It is a valuable shrub for the naturalized border, under the tall canopy of mature shade trees, although it will tolerate full sun in moist soils.
There have been some garden-worthy selections made, but they may be more difficult to find in the trade as opposed to the Asian species and hybrids. It is cold hardy to Zone 3. Common witch hazel is the preferred rootstock for grafted cultivars of Asian origin. The vernal witch hazel H. In South Carolina, it would be reasonable to expect flowering in January. New growth is bronze to reddish purple, and changes to medium-dark green in summer. The fall color is somewhat variable, but is described in literature as being an outstanding clear yellow that develops late.
The flowers consist of four yellow strap-like petals with a darker orange to red calyx at the base. While vernal witch hazel offers more variety for the garden than the common witch hazel, it is also more difficult to find in the trade than the Asian species and hybrids. It is recommended for light shade, but will tolerate full sun if sited in moist, rich soil.
It will tolerate soils of higher pH than the other species and is hardy to Zone 4. The Chinese witch hazel H. This species can be used in a shrub border or as a specimen in the woodland garden. It would make a nice substitute for the ubiquitous forsythia. It is noted for its consistently spectacular flowers of rich golden yellow with wider, more prominent petals than the species.
The sweet fragrance in February is very desirable. The growth habit is wide-spreading with an ultimate height of 8 to 10 feet. Ultimate height is reported to be 9 to 10 feet with equal or larger spread. This species is hardy to Zone 5. The hybrid witch hazels, Hamamelis x intermedia , are interspecific crosses between H. They display hybrid vigor, and may reach a mature height of 15 feet.
They can be expected to flower from January through March, and offer the gardener color and fragrance in the dreariest of seasons. The flower colors range from yellows and oranges to red. It should be noted that in general, the red-flowered cultivars typically exhibit more red fall coloration, and the yellow-flowered cultivars exhibit yellowish fall coloration. There are many reported cultivars of this hybrid, and a handful of them have become somewhat common in the nursery trade and therefore available to gardeners.
It is known for its clear yellow flowers and red calyces. The petals are long at almost an inch, and it provides good fragrance in the late winter garden. The flowering time tends to be late winter, usually in the mid-February through March range.
Perhaps one drawback of this cultivar is that it is reportedly subject to leaf anthracnose, but proper siting and good cultural practices should keep the disease occurrence to a minimum. This cultivar has outstanding flowers that are yellow at the tips, orange in the middle and dark red to maroon at the base. The petals appear crimped and twisted. The scent is very pleasant, but not over-powering.
These cultivars make a fantastic display when grouped together for larger effect. This is a reliable choice for Zone 7 gardens, but should also be given consideration by gardeners throughout the state. They are most adaptable in Zones 5 through 8. Witch hazel seed capsules take up to a year to fully ripen. Witch hazels, regardless of species or cultivar, thrive in moist, rich, well-drained, slightly acidic soils. These shrubs can tolerate shade, but flower displays improve with increasing sunlight.
Most prefer light shade to full sun. They are moderately resistant to drought once established. Due to their spreading growth habit, they may need to be occasionally pruned to maintain an upright form, or to allow for clearance beneath the canopy.
It should also be noted that cultivars of hybrid witch hazel H. Galls created by witch hazel cone gall aphid. Propagation of witch hazels is usually accomplished by seed for the species, while named cultivars are typically rooted from stem cuttings or grafted. Propagation by cuttings is possible using firm wood in late summer. The cuttings should be treated with 1. Keep root disturbance to a minimum.
The seeds are found in two-valved dehiscent capsules that ripen in mid to late fall. Seed should be collected in late summer or early fall before the capsules turn brown, ripen and eject the seed. The seed can actually eject from the capsule up to 30 feet, so it is advised to place the collected seed in a closed container.
Refrigerated seed that is kept dry can be stored up to one year. Because seeds have physiological dormancy, they must be given alternating warm and cold treatments. This can be done naturally by harvesting seed in late summer and planting in an outdoor seedbed. Germination sprouting occurs the second spring if not given a pre-treatment of 3 months cold followed by 3 months of warm stratification. Witch hazels are relatively problem-free additions to the landscape.
There are a couple of insects associated with the witch hazel, but none are serious. There is a cone gall aphid Hormaphis hamamelidis that can cause unsightly galls on the leaves, but are usually not a significant problem.
There is also a spiny leaf gall aphid Hamamelistes spinosus , that can cause some unsightly spiny galls on the foliage. The most prevalent disease associated with vernal witch hazel is powdery mildew, but is not a significant problem in most instances. George M. This information is supplied with the understanding that no discrimination is intended and no endorsement of brand names or registered trademarks by the Clemson University Cooperative Extension Service is implied, nor is any discrimination intended by the exclusion of products or manufacturers not named.
All recommendations are for South Carolina conditions and may not apply to other areas. Use pesticides only according to the directions on the label. All recommendations for pesticide use are for South Carolina only and were legal at the time of publication, but the status of registration and use patterns are subject to change by action of state and federal regulatory agencies. Follow all directions, precautions and restrictions that are listed. Join our mailing list to receive the latest updates from HGIC.
More Information » Close message window. Author s George M. Dickert , District Extension Director, Greenville, Clemson University This information is supplied with the understanding that no discrimination is intended and no endorsement of brand names or registered trademarks by the Clemson University Cooperative Extension Service is implied, nor is any discrimination intended by the exclusion of products or manufacturers not named.
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