Hamamelis virginiana, commonly known as Witchhazel or Common Witchhazel, is a deciduous shrub popular in gardens for its autumn-blooming flowers. In some environments, Witchhazel is considered a small tree, growing as much as 30 feet tall. Typical Witchhazel growth is 15 to 20 feet, making it suitable as a shrub border or high garden hedge.
Witchhazel blooms usually appear in autumn after its leaves have fallen, though sometimes flowering occurs as the foliage turns yellow. Flowers appear in squiggly, stem-hugging clusters and are bright yellow with occasional shades of orange or red.
Fertilized blooms slowly transform into seed capsules that change from green to brown as they mature. These oval fruits have a hairy or woody texture and are about 1/2 inch in size.
A fun fact about Witchhazel: its fruits are literally explosive. The seed capsules ripen over summer, and in autumn when they are about a year old, they burst open with a loud popping sound, shooting the black seeds within up to a distance of 30 feet. Warm air can speed up this process, so if you take flowering Witchhazel branches indoors you might want to remove the ripening seed capsules.
Witchhazel prefers deep, rich, well drained soil with a neutral or slightly acid pH. Full sun is best, but Witchhazel can tolerate even ample shade, though coloring will be reduced.Witchhazel is usually propagated via seeds. Seeds are best collected in summer before the seed coat thickens. Plant immediately in moist, highly organic soil and allow 18 months for germination.