witch hazel

Witch hazel (Hamamelis intermedia 'Birgit') should be watered deeply and thoroughly once per week during the growing season (spring to late fall) with 1-1.5 inches of water. During extremely hot summer days, the plant may require an additional watering to keep it looking healthy. In the winter, when the plant is dormant, no additional water should be necessary unless the plant is in an area with extended dry or mild winters. In that case, water sparingly to keep the soil from drying out completely.

Witch hazel (Hamamelis intermedia 'Birgit') requires full sun for 5 to 6 hours to thrive and bloom best. The best time to get these hours of sun is in the morning and early afternoon when the intensity of the sun is not as strong. This species prefers partial sun in the hotter months when the sun is too strong, and it can also handle partial shade in cooler areas. When planting or transplanting, be sure to give it a spot that gets bright but indirect sunlight. Direct sunlight in the afternoon can be too intense and scorch the plant.

Witch Hazel (Hamamelis intermedia 'Birgit') should be pruned in late winter or early spring just as the buds swell but before the blooms appear. The goal of pruning this shrub is to maintain a desirable shape and size while controlling the height. Generally speaking, dead or broken branches should be removed, while suckers should be thinned. If the shrub is overgrown, it can be reduced in size by pruning back the tallest shoots. This is best accomplished by heading the stem back to an outward-facing bud. Never over-prune, as it will ruin the overall shape of the shrub.