Hamamelis virginiana - Witch Hazel

Hamamelis virginiana - Witch HazelSizes available: HPP quart, coming in 2026 Basics: zones 3 8, 15 20' x 15 20', full sun to part shade, best flowering is in full sun, but will struggle there without enough moisture, yellow blooms in late fall usually after leaf drop, likes a moist but well drained, rich, acidic soil, but is adaptable to both shadier and drier sites. Tolerates clay and can take occasional flooding. Common names: Witch Hazel, Common Witch hazel, American Witch hazel,

Sizes available: HPP quart, coming in 2026

Basics: zones 3-8, 15-20' x 15-20', full sun to part shade, best flowering is in full sun, but will struggle there without enough moisture, yellow blooms in late fall usually after leaf drop, likes a moist but well-drained, rich, acidic soil, but is adaptable to both shadier and drier sites. Tolerates clay and can take occasional flooding. 

Common names: Witch Hazel, Common Witch-hazel, American Witch-hazel, Beadwood, Winterbloom, Snapping Hazelnut, Tobacco-wood, Water-witch, Wicke (Middle English for "lively") Hazel - also Striped or Spotted Alder. Common names can be confusing.

Family: Hamamelidaceae

Origin/Distribution: Nova Scotia south to central Florida, east to Texas and north to Minnesota. Native to Maine.

Habitat: Found in mixed hardwood understory, woodland edge and openings, stream banks, and moist thickets.

More: The bark and leaves have been used medicinally. Extracts, distillates, ointments, and eye washes are currently available as over-the-counter remedies. Leaves and twigs are used to make tea. The crotched branches are used to locate underground water or buried treasure. I think the foliage has potential in spring bouquets and perhaps the flowering branches in fall. More information coming soon.

Source: small whips from Cold Stream Farm grown on at Honey Petal Plants

Image credits: Wikimedia Commons