Native Plant Database

Header Photo: Mervin Wallace

Vernal Witch Hazel

Hamamelis vernalis
Plant Type: Shrubs
Native Environment: Stream Edge, Wetland
Season of Interest: Winter (Nov - Mar)
Main Color: Yellow
Fall Color: Gold

USDA PLANTS Range Map

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Sun Exposure 
Full Sun, Medium Sun/Average Shade
Soil
Moisture
Dry, Moderate, High
Nature Attracting
Pollinators/Beneficial Insects
Wildlife Benefit
Cover, Food/Birds
Animal
Resistance
Deer Resistant
Size

Height:

6 to
10
feet

Spread:

6 to
8
feet
Size
Height: 6 to
10
feet
Spread: 6 to
8
feet
Size
Height: 6 to
10
feet
Spread: 6 to
8
feet
Typical Landscape Use
A fantastic shrub to give rare winter interest to a garden.
Establishment and Care Instructions
Full sun-medium sun/average shade. Moist soil is preferred although average to moderate moisture will suffice.
Special Features
Special Usage
Fragrant, Fresh Cut Flower
Basic Description

Also known as Ozark witch hazel, this unique native shrub flowers from late winter into early spring, when little else is blooming in the landscape. The fragrant flowers are clustered or solitary, yellow to dark red in color, and have four strap-like petals that are 1/4″-1/2″ long. The petals curl up on very cold days as an adaptive mechanism to protect them from freeze damage and create quite a show against the gray-brown bark, especially on snowy days! Flowers can persist for 3-4 weeks! A hard woody fruit capsule 1/2″ long splits down a 2-parted tip in Sept.-Oct. Seeds are forced or ‘shot-out’ to a distance of 30′! The seeds and flowers are eaten by turkey and ruffed grouse. Twigs, leaves and bark are the basis of witch hazel extract.

 

Branch of Hamamelis vernalis. Photo: Carol Davit.

Where Should I Start?

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Where Can I Find This Plant in Nature?

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