American Witch-hazel
Hamamelis virginiana
Also listed as Trilopus virginiana
Also known as Witch-hazel, Common Witch-hazel, Northern Witch-hazel
Climate Match for your location
See how well American Witch-hazel grows in your area.
Enter your ZIP code and we'll show you how this plant fits your local climate.
A native deciduous shrub prized for its fragrant yellow or reddish flowers that bloom in fall and winter when few other plants are flowering. The blooms appear on bare branches and are followed by ornamental seed capsules.
Why grow it
Hamamelis virginiana flowers later in the season than most ornamental shrubs, typically blooming from October through December when garden color is scarce. Among witch-hazels, this species is notably cold-hardy and well-adapted to eastern North American conditions, making it more reliable than some Asian cultivars in continental climates. The fragrant flowers and subsequent persistent seed capsules provide extended visual interest, and the plant tolerates a range of soil types including clay and acidic soils common in many regions.
Watch out for
This shrub can take several years to reach flowering maturity, so young plants may not bloom reliably in the first season or two after planting. It tends toward an open, somewhat irregular growth habit and may require selective pruning to achieve a compact form, particularly in shaded conditions where it can become leggy. Dense competition from nearby plants or trees can suppress flowering significantly.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Hamamelidaceae
Native to the United States
Native Range
Eastern North America
Native to: Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, North Carolina, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Vermont, Wisconsin, West Virginia
Seasonality
Bloom Season
Season of Interest
Shrub
Woody multi-stem plants at eye level.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Flood Tolerance
Deer Resistance
Inferred from USDA browse palatability
pH Range
Soil Texture
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Propagation
A native deciduous shrub prized for its fragrant yellow or reddish flowers that bloom in fall and winter when few other plants are flowering. The blooms appear on bare branches and are followed by ornamental seed capsules.
Climate Match for your location
See how well American Witch-hazel grows in your area.
Enter your ZIP code and we'll show you how this plant fits your local climate.
Why grow it
Hamamelis virginiana flowers later in the season than most ornamental shrubs, typically blooming from October through December when garden color is scarce. Among witch-hazels, this species is notably cold-hardy and well-adapted to eastern North American conditions, making it more reliable than some Asian cultivars in continental climates. The fragrant flowers and subsequent persistent seed capsules provide extended visual interest, and the plant tolerates a range of soil types including clay and acidic soils common in many regions.
Watch out for
This shrub can take several years to reach flowering maturity, so young plants may not bloom reliably in the first season or two after planting. It tends toward an open, somewhat irregular growth habit and may require selective pruning to achieve a compact form, particularly in shaded conditions where it can become leggy. Dense competition from nearby plants or trees can suppress flowering significantly.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Hamamelidaceae
Native to the United States
Native Range
Eastern North America
Native to: Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, North Carolina, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Vermont, Wisconsin, West Virginia
Seasonality
Bloom Season
Season of Interest
Shrub
Woody multi-stem plants at eye level.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Flood Tolerance
Deer Resistance
Inferred from USDA browse palatability
pH Range
Soil Texture
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Propagation
Similar shrubs you might consider:
Enter your ZIP code to see top native species and strong climate fits for you.