Ozark witch hazel

Ozark witch hazel (Hamamelis vernalis 'Purpurea') should be watered regularly but not too much. In general, the soil should be kept lightly moist but not saturated. It is best to wait until the surface of the soil feels slightly dry before watering. During its active growing season from spring to fall, typically it should be watered deeply and infrequently about once or twice per month. In the winter season, water should be reduced to once every several weeks or until the soil feels slightly dry. It is important to avoid overwatering, so if the surface of the soil feels moist, it likely doesn't need to be watered.

Ozark witch hazel (Hamamelis vernalis 'Purpurea') thrives best in bright, indirect sunlight. It requires at least 6-8 hours of light per day, with some dappled shade. The optimal amount of daily sunlight for this plant species is partial sun in the morning and afternoon hours, preferably between 10am and 4pm when the sunlight is not at its strongest. Avoid direct sunlight, as it can scorch the leaves of this delicate plant.

When it comes to pruning an ozark witch hazel (Hamamelis vernalis 'Purpurea'), it is best to do it in late winter or early spring, after the last frost but before growth begins. It is not necessary to prune the shrub annually. Only selectively prune to remove dead, diseased, or broken branches, or to create an attractive shape or size. Avoid cutting into the old wood as it may not sprout new growth. Pruning witch hazels should involve removing no more than 1/3 of the growth from the shrub each year. This will give the shrub time to mature and limit stress on the plant. If you wish to shape your Ozark witch hazel, cut branches lightly and evenly to maintain a good form and not leaving large pruning stubs.