Hamamelis vernalis - Shrub - Ozark Witchhazel, Spring-blooming Witch Hazel, Vernal Witch Hazel Page

The Hamamelis vernalis, also known as Ozark Witchhazel, Spring-blooming Witch Hazel, or Vernal Witch Hazel, is a deciduous shrub that is native to the Ozark Plateau in central North America. Valued for its strongly scented flowers, the Hamamelis vernalis blooms in late winter, when little else is growing, and is highly sought after in cultivation. The flowers are deep to bright red, rarely yellow, with four ribbon-shaped petals and four short stamens, and grow in clusters, with flowering starting in mid-winter and continuing until early spring. The plant typically grows 6-10 feet tall, but can reach up to 15 feet in height, and has a rounded habit. In the wild, it usually occurs in gravel or rocky stream beds, or at the base of rocky slopes along streams. The leaves are oval, with serrated or shallowly lobed margins, and turn an attractive golden yellow in autumn. Hamamelis vernalis is hardy in zone 5 and prefers moist, well-drained soil and full sun. It is a great option for mass or group plantings, screens or hedges, and borders, and its showy flowers add early color to any landscape. The plant is relatively problem-free but can sucker. Propagation is possible through cuttings or by seed.