Species common witch hazel
velvety, yellow-green, drupe-like flowers with yellow-green sepals, green, lobed leaves and dark brown stems

common witch hazel

Hamamelis virginiana 'Green Thumb'

Common witch hazel, or Hamamelis virginiana 'Green Thumb', is a tree, or shrub, that is both beautiful and useful. It is easy to recognize by its yellowish-orange flowers which bloom during the winter months. This plant is not only ornamental, but also provides medicinal uses. It can be used as a tonic, an astringent, or an anti-inflammatory. The leaves, bark, and twigs of the common witch hazel all have their own medicinal uses. It's also a great choice for gardening in shady areas due to its low light needs. All this, along with its ability to propagate itself easily through suckers and layering, makes the common witch hazel an amazing plant species.

Cycle:

Perennial

Watering:

Average

Propagation:

Cutting,Layering Propagation,Grafting Propagation,Division,Seed Propagation

Hardiness Zone:

3 - 8

Flowers:

Yellow Flowers

Sun:

full sun,part shade

Leaf:

Yes

Leaf Color:

green,yellow

Growth Rate:

Low

Maintenance:

Low

Drought Tolerant:

Yes

Care Level:

Medium

watering

Common witch hazel should be watered deeply but infrequently. Water the plant thoroughly when the top 1-2 inches of soil feel dry to the touch. During hot and dry spells, increase watering frequency to every 5 to 7 days in order to keep the soil evenly moist. During the winter, water once every 3-4 weeks. Common witch hazel does not tolerate soggy roots, so be sure not to over-water and check the soil with your fingers. If watering with a hose, the water should penetrate at least 8 inches into the soil for best results.

sunlight

Common witch hazel (Hamamelis virginiana 'Green Thumb') should receive 4-6 hours of direct sunlight per day, preferably in the morning when the sun is not at its strongest. For best results, provide your witch hazel with full sun for at least 4 hours each day. Avoid positioning it in direct afternoon sunlight as this can stress and damage the plant.

pruning

Common witch hazel should be pruned in late winter, while it is still dormant. The amount of pruning should be fairly light, as it is a woody shrub, so only a few branches should be removed each year. This ensures that the shape of the shrub isn't changed too drastically in 1 season. Over-pruning can cause heavy growth in the following season and harm the overall look of the shrub. A good rule of thumb is to only prune between 10-25% of the branches, using sharp pruning shears to cut the branches back to their desired length.

Season

Fall
Winter
Spring
Summer
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Starts Flowering

Common witch hazel typically starts flowering in late October or early November.

Hardiness Map