Hamamelis vernalis (Vernal Witch Hazel or Hamamelis)


Michael's Opinion

This plant is known as a very early and fragrant flowering shrub, with rounded and spreading growth habit at maturity. It is adaptable to a wide range of soils, sunlight and moisture conditions. Suitable as an understorey plant and recommended since even its tiny blooms are welcome in the thick of winter.

Botanical Information

FamilyHamamelidaceae
GenusHamamelis
Speciesvernalis
CategoryWoody
TypeShrub (deciduous)
OriginMissouri to Louisiana and Oklahoma, Introduced in 1908.
Pronunciation

Details

USDA Hardiness Zone4–8
USDA Hardiness Ref.
Canadian Hardiness Zone5a
Canada Hardiness Ref.
RHS Hardiness Ref.
Temperature (°C)-34 C
Temperature (°F)-30 F
Height2–3.5 m
Spread2.5–5 m
GrowthMedium
Flowering PeriodMarch

Description and Growing Information

General DescriptionThis deciduous shrub is quite, neat in appearance but variable in form, branches are low and serpentine bending up at their extremities to form a broad rounded outline. This shrub will sucker and form large colonies if not rigorously cultivated.
ID CharacteristicFlowers have a strong odour, with red-purple growth. Flower buds are grouped, tan and pubescent, flowering in late winter.
ShapeMulti stemmed, dense rounded shrub.
LandscapeThis plant is used for massing or grouping, screening or hedging, it is also used for its early spring colour and for its autumn foliage.
PropagationIt is difficult to propagate this shrub. Rooting is easy but over winter survival is very difficult. To ensure survival, induce growth after rooting. The best way to propagate is through semi-hardwood cuttings.
CultivationSomewhat difficult to transplant, grows admirably in poor drained, clay soils, does well in full sun or partial shade. Adapts to different pH soils.
PestsUsually no serious pest problems. Oak gulls cause no real concern because most of them are harmless to the tree. Aphids cause stunted growth and produce honey dew on lower leaves. Leaf miners cause brown areas in leaves.
Notable SpecimensThe Niagara Parks Botanical Gardens, Niagara Falls, Ontario.
HabitatFound on gravely soils and banks of streams as an understorey shrub.
Bark/Stem DescriptionGray bark, pubescent young stems.
Flower/Leaf Bud DescriptionVegetative, naked, gray-brown, tomentose buds which are 7-14 mm long. Flower is stalked and rounded. Usually, 3-4 per stalk.
Leaf DescriptionAlternate, simple, obovate, 5-12.5 cm long and half to two ngthird’s as wide. It has a rarely sub cordate base, often unequal; medium to dark green in colour, with 4-6 veins. Petiole is 0.5-1 cm long.
Flower DescriptionIt has yellow to red flowers that are long lasting and are 1 cm wide; these flowers have a strong odour and bloom in late winter. Flowers are stalked and usually in clusters of 3–4 per stalk.
Fruit DescriptionFruit matures in September, and is a dehiscent capsule which is 1-1.5 cm long, and contains black seeds.
Colour DescriptionNew growth is bronze to red-purple, it is medium to dark green in summer, changing to a nice yellow to golden-yellow in autumn.
Texture DescriptionMedium in foliage when semi-bare, thick density in foliage when truly bare.

Photographs