Chinese witch hazel

Water Chinese witch hazel deeply but infrequently. The plant should be watered until the soil is saturated and then allowed to dry out completely before you water again. Generally, you should water once a week in the spring and summer, and every 2 weeks in the fall and winter. It is important to not over-water the plant, as this can lead to root rot and other problems.

Chinese witch hazel plants need an average of 5 to 6 hours of sunlight per day in order to thrive. This species prefers part-sun, meaning it should receive some shade in the middle of the day and/or protection from the hot afternoon sun. The best time of day for Chinese witch hazel to receive sunlight is in the morning and early afternoon, when the sun’s heat is weaker and the light is more indirect. In very hot climates, it's a good idea to provide some shade for the plant either from a building or an overhead structure, during the hottest part of the day.

Chinese Witch Hazel (Hamamelis mollis) should be pruned once or twice a year. In late spring or early summer, lightly trim the shrub just after it has finished flowering. This will help to discourage the plant from setting too much fruit and promote more new growth. In early autumn, prune back any overly long or weak stems, and also remove any dead, diseased or damaged stems. Also shape the shrub as desired, but do not over-prune. It is important to do your pruning gradually over time, rather than all at once.