Common Witch Hazel

Light Needs

Partial Sun to Full Sun

(At Least 5 Hours of Direct Sunlight)

Mature Height

8 - 12 Feet

Mature Spread

6-10+ Feet

Growing Zones

4 to 8

Common witchhazel (Hamamelis virginiana) is a tough, adaptable wildlife supporter for your garden. The native shrub provides good late-season nectar on fragrant, bright yellow flowers in late fall and plenty of pretty foliage for gardeners to enjoy in summer and fall. The dense growth of this shrub provides hiding spots for birds and other small wildlife, and new spring growth starts out bluish-green with a bronze tinge. In fall, the leaves turn bright yellow.

Hardy in zones 4 through 8, this large native shrub is an excellent screen or natural hedge and border plant. It reaches 8 to 12 feet high at maturity and 6 to 10 feet wide. They can grow in full or part sun and can be found in the wild growing in woodland areas under the dappled shade of trees. Be sure to place a few around your landscape for the year-round color and for wildlife shelter. Finally, witch-hazel extract is said to have many natural remedies in the home.

Common Witchhazel Care

Choose a spot for your witchhazel that gets full sun or at least 4 to 6 hours a day of light. It prefers slightly acidic soil, so amend as needed with lots of organic matter. Be sure the soil drains well and add some organic mulch after planting to help retain top moisture. If the landscape has clay soil and poor drainage, it can still survive by adjusting watering. 

Water the shrub regularly, especially in hot summer months. There is no need to fertilize this native shrub, but you can top dress the soil with new organic matter each year to ensure nutrients replenish. The plant does not require any regular pruning. In spring, remove dead, crossing, or weak branches. Trim lower basal sprouts and suckers to maintain its tree-like shape or the shrub might begin to grow more like a thicket. 

Common Witchhazel Spacing

Space witch hazel about 8 feet apart to avoid crowding once it is full size. If you want it to form a hedge or thicket, place the plants about 6 feet apart.