Witch hazel is also beloved for its tendency to attract pollinators and songbirds and for its deer-resistance.
Witch Hazel Care
Plant this shrub in early spring or late fall for the best results.
A sunny location is ideal, though some afternoon shade will be beneficial in hot areas.
The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova
Though they usually prefer full sun, partial shade is best in hot climates with intense afternoon sunshine.
These plants can acclimate to acidic and alkaline soil pH levels, although acidic to neutral soil is best.
Good drainage and moist conditions are essential for healthy witch hazel plants.
The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova
Try adding a layer of mulch on top of the soil to retain moisture.
Water
This shrub prefers consistent moisture but does not do well in soggy soil.
Regular watering is essential for young, establishing plants.
The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova
Once established, natural rainfall should provide enough water for witch hazel shrubs.
However, be sure to water these plants whenever there is a drought.
If the top of the soil feels dry to the touch, it may be time for additional water.
The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova
Temperature and Humidity
Witch hazel is unique in that it flowers during the cold winter months.
Moderate humidity levels are preferred.
Throughout the summer, well-balanced, liquid fertilizer can be added monthly for extra nutrients.
Prune after the shrub is blooming to promote next years bud growth.
Remove suckering offshoots at the base to keep this plant clean and tidy.
Witch hazel branches can also be trimmed off right before blooming and brought indoors to bloom as cut stems.
Give the cut end a diagonal slice at the bottom and place it in warm filtered water.
Propagating Witch Hazel
The best method for propagating witch hazel is from seed.
Stem cuttings are unreliable and very hard to root; this method is rarely met with success.
Replant them to propagate a new plant.
Witch hazel seeds can take up to two years before they germinate.
To get seeds started, they must experience the heat and cold of both winter and summer.
it’s possible for you to plant these outdoors or mimic these conditions indoors.
Try not to disturb the roots when doing this, as witch hazel does not handle transplanting well.
It is best to do this in the spring.
Overwintering
With its unique winter flowers, witch hazel thrives in the cold winter months.
Bright green leaves adorn these shrubs in the summer and turn yellow or yellow-orange in thefall.
Usually, a warm period amid cold weather can spur the plant to bloom.
How Long Does Witch Hazel Bloom?
Witch hazel can remain in bloom for up to eight weeks.
What Do Witch Hazel Flowers Look and Smell Like?
Witch hazel flowers have a lemon-zesty fragrance, though the flowers are not as showy as some other plants.
They have strappy, wispy petals that look like hairy spider legs.
The petal colors range from yellow to orange to red.
Witch hazel flowers have adapted to winter cold, curling up during freezing temperatures.
How to Encourage More Blooms
Shrubs in full-sun locations bloom more fully than those in shadier spots.
Deadheading Witch Hazel
There is no need to deadhead spent witch hazel blooms.
Deadheading will not encourage more flowers.
It only needs occasional watering and pruning.
Drying winds are sparked by a period of moist weather quickly followed by bright sun and dry winds.
If stems appear to have died, prune the dead or dying limbs.
However, the fungal condition is due to just the oppositetoo much water and soggy roots.
Remove Suckers
Witch hazels tend to sucker.
Dig suckers from the base of the plant as soon as you could work the soil in the spring.
Take care to keep the parent root system intact.
you could plant the suckers elsewhere to create new plants.
Yes, witch hazel does spread by suckering or sending out new plant shoots from the main root.
Yes, you’ve got the option to plant witch hazel in the fall.
Fall is the best time to plant witch hazel.
Witch hazel flowers naturally release their seeds in fall.
