Witch hazels provide color and fantastic structure from late fall to late spring. Both the North American and hybrid Asiatic types support early and late season pollinators. The spidery flowers emerge much earlier than the foliage and signal a new year of gardening ahead. The North American varieties have the most fragrant blooms and are ideal for forcing indoors alongside the branches of forsythia and ornamental cherry.
Witch hazels have a gently spreading shape with thin but sturdy stems. The stems can be shaped after flowering to maintain the horizontal growth habit or create a standard. Whether grown as a small tree or multistemmed shrub, witch hazels make lovely specimens in key locations of the garden.
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Witch hazel has a wide growing range from USDA zones 3-9, depending on the variety. It requires good drainage year-round and a position in partial shade to full sun. Planting witch hazel on the north side of a house or property helps to protect the developing flower buds during harsh winter winds or storms.
Shrubs To Plant With Witch Hazel
Numerous shrubs and small trees grow well with witch hazel. Use a backdrop of broadleaf evergreens such as rhododendrons, Indian hawthorn, big leaf viburnum, loropetalum, or holly to accentuate witch hazel’s unique, early blooms. Dwarf conifers make a lovely lower story near witch hazels. Among possible deciduous companions, spirea, red twig dogwood, star magnolia, forsythia, and serviceberry all have an informal, spreading shape and flower early in the spring to play off the bright colors of witch hazel.
Perennials To Plant With Witch Hazel
Planting herbaceous perennials alongside witch hazel is an easy way to give your garden a naturalistic and relaxed feeling. Grow colorful early bulbs such as daffodils, crocus, tulips, hyacinth, snakehead lilies, and ornamental alliums under witch hazel. The bulbs will die back early in the summer, providing space for other flowering plants. Other perennials with late winter or early spring color include hellebores, cyclamen, species primrose, and columbine.
Photo by K M, unmodified, Flickr, copyright CC BY 2.0 DEED
Smaller types of clematis can be grown up through the branches of larger witch hazel, providing an extra punch of color late in the summer. Select a Clematis that is best pruned to the ground early in the winter (typically group 3 varieties), so the vine is easy to control.
Annuals To Plant With Witch Hazel
Few annuals bloom as early as witch hazel, although early winter stalwarts like pansies and violas would make a nice ground cover under witch hazel. Later in the summer, wax begonia, sweet alyssum, ageratum, and nasturtiums can add color to a shrub border that has finished flowering. For a more naturalistic look, include taller annuals like cosmos, zinnia, seed dahlia, and cleome, which stand out against the leathery, colorful foliage of witch hazel.
Best Companion Plants For Witch Hazel in Containers
Witch hazel grows slowly enough to live with other plants in a container. Plant early spring blooming bulbs around the edges of the container for added color. Crocus, small daffodils, and snakehead lilies are easily tucked in the potting soil. Later in the spring, use warm-season annuals such as calibrachoa, sweet alyssum, lobelia, or ivy leaf geraniums to soften the edges of a container and provide a long season of color.
Fertilizing should be kept to a minimum, as witch hazel does not require a heavy feeding schedule. Use a diluted liquid formulation once a month from April to August only if the planter includes annual flowering plants.
Plants Not To Grow With Witch Hazel
Waterwise plants found in xeric designs, such as succulents, cacti, agaves, or aloes, are not good companions for witch hazel. Although native witch hazels can be very drought tolerant at maturity, consistent soil moisture encourages better flowering in the winter and foliage retention during the summer. Witch hazel also does not like exceptionally hot or humid summers and will not grow well with tropical plants such as bird of paradise, croton, or bougainvillea.
Photo by Leonora (Ellie) Enking, unedited, Flickr, Copyright CC BY-SA 2.0 DEED
Best Plants To Grow With Witch Hazel
Witch hazel provides year-round through spidery spring flowers, highly textured foliage, vibrant autumn color, and a picturesque winter silhouette. Plant an understory of early blooming bulbs and perennial groundcovers to highlight your witch hazel. Add woodland favorites such as turtlehead, pulmonaria, brunnera, coral bells, cranesbill, ferns, and hostas to create a tapestry of foliage texture and a naturalistic look.