Scientific name: Hamamelis mollis
Family: HAMAMELIDACEAE
Common names: “Chinese witch hazel”
Plant Type: Deciduous shrub
Conditions:
Zone: 5-8
Light: Full sun – part shade
Exposure: Sheltered
Soil: Fertile acidic-neutral
Moisture: Moist well-drained soil
Aesthetic:
Plant Size: H 10′-15′ W 10′-15′
Leaf and Stem shape: Broad oval leaves which may or may not fall in winter, pushed off by new leaf growth
Flower: Yellow citrus scented spidery winter flowers which have both functional stamens and pistils, born in late winter, early spring or autumn
Pruning: Do not prune unless Diseased, Damaged or Dead branches, congested, crossed or wayward shoots. From cultivars grown on root stock, it is important to remove any suckers that come up from below the graft, by carving out or pulling sharply to remove the heel.
Maintenance: Higher level gardens should have the leaves pulled off to maximize the full effect of the flowers
Landscape use: Often grown as a small tree, oval-vase shape good for under-planting, plant more than one if there is enough space, do not over crowd, used as an under-story species in mixed woodlands, plant in a line for spectacular look
Propagate: By grafting or by seed
Pests & Disease: Nothing serious, Coral spot may be a problem
Comments: Adds beautiful colours in the winter, great contrast with purple flowers underneath
Cultivars: H. x intermedia (H. japonica x H. mollis) cultivars include:
‘Diane’ – deepest red blooms and red fall foliage, 8′ height
‘Jelena’ aka ‘Copper beauty’ – scentless orange blooms and orange fall foliage, 12′ height
‘Arnold promise’ – sweetly scented yellow blooms and orange/gold fall foliage, 12′-20′ height
