Light Needs
Mature Height
Mature Spread
Growing Zones
The Vernal Witchhazel will be one of the very first plants to welcome spring when it blooms in late February or early March. The star-shaped flowers have extended yellow straps and red calyces. The flowers are frost-resistant, fragrant, and bloom in clusters on bare branches. During late spring, rounded leaves in a light green hue with hints of bronze emerge. By fall, the leaves of the Hamamelis vernalis turn a bright and festive buttery yellow.
This is a large shrub with woody open branches and can be used to create borders or hedges or provide color and visual interest to an ample outdoor space. Vernal Witchhazel is deciduous, but the foliage often stays on the plant throughout the winter, and the branches are only completely bare for a short period of time. This plant is native to the southern and central areas of North America. Witch Hazel spreads via underground stolons and will create large colonies. This plant is a hardy, adaptable perennial in USDA zones 4 through 8.
Vernal Witchhazel Care
Vernal Witchhazel does best in full sun and moist soil, but it is tolerant and can handle partial sun and dry soil. The soil pH can be acidic or neutral. This plant has low water needs and will need a drink when the top several inches of soil dries out. Apply a balanced plant food 3 to 4 times during the late spring and early summer.
Prune to shape during the spring after the flowering is done. Remove suckers or stolons to manage the size of the plant.
Vernal Witchhazel Spacing
This perennial has an upright, branching growth habit and will grow 8 to 10 feet tall and 10 to 12 feet wide. Space shrubs 12 to 17 feet apart.
Vernal Witch Hazel Plant Facts
Growing Conditions
- Hardiness ZonesGrowing Zones
- USDA Zones 4 to 8 (perennial); grown as an annual elsewhere (outdoors year-round); grown indoors elsewhere (outdoors year-round); grown in containers elsewhere (grown as a seasonal crop)
- Sun Exposure
- Part Shade to Full Sun (3+ Hours Direct Sun)
- Mature Height
- 8-10 Feet
- Mature Spread
- 8-10 Feet
- Growth Habit
- , Upright
- Water Needs
- Average
Flowers & Foliage
- Flower Colors
- , Orange, Red, Yellow
- Flower Description
- Orange, Red, Yellow
- Bloom Time
- Late Winter to Early Spring
- Blooms On
-
Old Wood
?
"Blooms on" tells you which stems produce flowers, which decides when it's safe to prune.
- New Wood: Flowers form on stems that grow this season. Prune in late winter or early spring without losing blooms.
- Old Wood: Flower buds form on last year's stems. Prune right after flowering. Pruning in fall or early spring removes next year's blooms.
- Both New and Old Wood: Blooms on last year's stems and again on new growth, so it flowers even after a hard winter or a mistimed pruning. Prune lightly after the first flush of blooms.
- When to Prune
- Right after flowering
- Foliage Color
- , Green, Yellow
- Foliage Description
- Green, Yellow
- Foliage Type
- , Deciduous
- Seasonal Interest
- , Winter Interest
Garden Benefits
Plant Overview
- Common Name
- Vernal Witchhazel
- Botanical Name
- HAMAMELIS VERNALIS
- Plant Type
- Shrub
Simple Plant Spacing Calculator
Please Note: The pictures below are to give a general representation of the different container sizes. The actual size/ages of plants are estimates and will vary based on type of plant, time of year, last pruning & many other factors.
Also Known As:
Quart
Plant Age:
~ 6 months - 1 year
Plant Size:
~ 4"-8"
Pot Size:
~ 4.75"H x 4.5"W
Volume:
1.50 quarts
Also Known As:
2.5 Quart Pot
Plant Age:
~ 1 - 2 years old
Plant Size:
~ 8"-12"
Pot Size:
~ 6.5"H x 6.5"W
Volume:
2.20-2.30 quarts
Also Known As:
#1 Container
1 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 1 - 2 years old
Plant Size:
~ 10"-14"
Pot Size:
~ 7"H x 7.75"W
Volume:
2.26-3.73 quarts
Also Known As:
#2 Container
2 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 1.5 - 3 years old
Plant Size:
~ 12"-18"
Pot Size:
~ 9.5"H x 9.5"W
Volume:
1.19-1.76 gallons
Also Known As:
#3 Container
3 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 2 - 4 years old
Plant Size:
~ 12"-30"
Pot Size:
~9.5"H x 11"W
Volume:
2.32-2.76 gallons
Also Known As:
#5 Container
5 Gallon
Plant Age:
~3-4 years old
Plant Size:
~ 20" - 60"
Pot Size:
~11" H x 10 1/2” W
Volume:
3.5 - 4 gallons
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Plants that are currently in stock typically ship within 2-7 business days after your order is placed.
Plant Addicts ships to the lower 48 states within the U.S. Unfortunately, we do not currently ship to Alaska, Hawaii, or internationally.
This plant cannot be shipped to the following states: AK, HI. These restrictions apply only to this specific plant due to agricultural regulations or other limitations. Other plants may still be available for shipping to these states.
If you have any questions about shipping restrictions, feel free to reach out to our team!