About Witch-Hazel
Witch hazel plants are often used for borders or screening, growing to a height and spread of 12 to 20 feet. The round leaves appear green in the spring and turn yellow or orange in the fall. Fragrant, ribbon-like flowers also appear in the fall, growing in dense yellow clusters. These flowers remain on witch-hazel's bare stems through the winter.
Witch hazel prefers to grow in the sun but will tolerate semi-shade. They are also tolerant of acidic or alkaline soil. The plants should be watered in the summer and given a little mulch to help retain moisture. Pruning the twigs around the base will help the plants to grow into a more tree-like structure. Long branches can also be pruned and enjoyed indoors as a fun seasonal centerpiece.
Common Names:
- Witch-Hazel
- Common Witch-Hazel
- American Witch-Hazel
Witch-hazel at the Akron Zoo
You can find American witch-hazel growing in Grizzly Ridge and Lehner Family Foundation Wild Asia. There is also the hybrid witch-hazel cultivar known as ‘Arnold Promise’ growing in Legends of the Wild.