Witch Hazel

Witch Hazel Overview

Hamamelis is a genus of deciduous shrubs and small trees in the Hamamelidaceae family. They are commonly known as Witch Hazels and there are just 5 species including the more well known H. mollis, from China and H. virginiana, from North America. They are distinguished by their unusual clusters of flowers with 4 slender strap-shaped crinkled petals in colours from yellow to red, produced in the late Autumn and throughout Winter before the leaves develop. Commonly known as Witch Hazel, they prefer an acid soil in sun or partial shade.

How to propagate Witch Hazel

Budding

By simple layering or seed in autumn, selected forms by softwood cuttings in summer, by budding in late summer.

Cuttings

Layering

Seed

Grafting

Grafting in winter.

Other uses of Witch Hazel

Grown for their autumn colour and fragrant, frost resistant flowers, each with 4 narrowly strap shaped petals.