1 / 3Key characteristics
- Family
- Hamamelidaceae
- Height
- 6 to 10 feet
- Width
- 8 to 12 feet
- Flower color
- Bright yellow to orange-red
- Foliage color
- Dark green in summer, turning yellow in fall
- Bloom time
- Mid-winter to early spring
- Light
- Full sun to partial shade
- Water
- Prefers moist, well-drained soil
- Maintenance
- Low; minimal pruning after flowering if necessary
- Growing zone
- USDA zones 4 to 8
- Wildlife
- Attracts bees
Shrubs
Hamamelis vernalis
Ozark Witch Hazel
Hamamelis vernalis is a deciduous shrub that blooms from late winter into early spring. Its fragrant flowers range in color from yellow to coppery-orange and have narrow, crinkled petals that emerge along bare branches. The blooms provide a welcome burst of color in the dormant landscape, and their sweet, spicy scent adds another layer of seasonal interest. As the seasons progress, its dark green summer foliage transitions to bright yellow, orange, or red in autumn.
Works well in
- Sun Gardens
- Fragrant Gardens
- Winter Interest
- Woodland Gardens
Companion plants
Manzanita · California lilac · Poppy · Foxtail lily · Oregano · Globe artichoke
Design tip
Ozark witch hazel’s suckering habit makes it particularly effective in naturalistic plantings. Allow it to develop into a loose colony on a slope or woodland edge, where its spreading growth can help stabilize soil while creating winter interest.
Where to see it
This plant can be seen at the Washington Park Arboretum.
More shrubs
Rhododendron calendulaceum
Flame Azalea
Blooms bright orange flowers, often with yellow or red tones and darker spotting
Full sun to part shade
Rhododendron 'Fire Rim'
Fire Rim Rhododendron
Blooms creamy yellow flowers with orange red margins and softly ruffled petals
Partial shade
Potentilla fruticosa
Shrubby Cinquefoil
Blooms yellow, though some cultivars may have white, orange, or red flowers
Full sun
Hamamelis x intermedia 'Arnold Promise'
Arnold Promise Witch Hazel
Blooms golden yellow, often tinged with red
Full sun to partial shade