common witch hazel

Common witch hazel (Hamamelis virginiana 'Mohonk Red') should be watered once per week during the growing season (spring to late summer). Give it enough water that the soil is moistened but not soggy. Try to avoid getting the foliage wet as this increases the chances of fungal diseases. Water the plant at the root zone, not overhead, as overhead watering can cause leaf spotting. During the winter, reduce watering to every 3 to 4 weeks. Make sure the soil is not frozen and allow plants to dry slightly between waterings.

Common witch hazel (Hamamelis virginiana 'Mohonk Red') will do best in full sun exposure, providing that the climate is not excessively hot. This plant should get around 8 hours of sunlight per day, during the mid-to-late spring and summer months when the sun is strongest. During the cooler months of fall and winter, it can tolerate slightly less sunlight (6-8 hours per day). In excessively hot climates, it may need to be placed in a location that gets dappled shade.

Common witch hazel requires occasional pruning to maintain shape and to promote strong growth. This type of pruning should be done no later than March when the plants are still in dormancy. You can lightly prune witch hazel throughout the season in order to remove damaged or dead wood and to encourage more upright growth. In addition, heavy pruning can be performed in late winter or early spring to reduce height and create a more shrub-like shape. The following elements should be considered when pruning witch hazel: •Remove any dead, diseased, or damaged branches. •Remove any branches that are growing against the main structure of the plant. •Thin out any overcrowded areas to allow more air circulation and light penetration. •Prune back any stems that cross or rub against other stems. •Remove any branches that compete for space with the main plant structure. •After pruning, fertilize the ground and apply mulch. It's important to be careful when pruning witch hazel, and to only remove selective branches without disrupting the shape of the shrub. Experienced gardeners recommend removing no more than 25% of a witch hazel's structure in any single pruning session.