Winter Blooming Witchhazels

'Primervera' witchhazel at Biltmore Estates, Asheville, NC

Starting in February, hybrid witchhazels from China, Korea and Japan begin flowering. Two of the very best are a Chinese species/cultivar called H. mollis ‘Wisley Supreme’ and a hybrid form called H. x intermedia ‘Westerstede’.

'Wisley Supreme' grows to 8 - 12 feet in height and almost the same in width. Its young branches are very upright. Its pale yellow strap-like flowers are long lasting and sweet smelling upclose. Spring-summer oval leaves posess a blue - green cast, and turn buttery yellow in the fall.

Favorite cultivar 'Westerstede' is a hybrid selection (Japanese (H. japonicum) and Chinese (H. mollis) from Germany. Westerstede bears light yellow 1- inch long ribbon-like flowers which are fragrant. Floral buds begin to open 1 - 2 weeks later than 'Wisley Supreme'. The broad 5 - 6 inch circular green leaves turn a nice buttery yellow in fall. Westerstede summer foliage possesses better leaf spot resistance than one-time favorite ‘Arnold Promise’.

Near the end of the calendar year, the U.S. native witchhazel (H. virginiana) blooms. By that time, most Americans pass by this very tall shrub/small tree with their attention set on Halloween and Thanksgiving.

Witchhazels are easy to grow in an average well-drained moist garden soil and in full sun to light shade.  A slightly acidic pH soil is preferred. Most hybrid witchhazels become tall 20 foot shrubs. Annual spring pruning is warranted to keep this vigorous shrub in check.

Most garden centers do not sell early blooming shrubs, particularly witchhazels, but plants are sold at e-nursery outlets.

Better Winter Blooming Witchhazels on the Way

Chinese witchhazel (Hamamelis mollis) are a mid-winter garden delight. Depending on the cultivar, small yellow, orange or red flowers open in early February. Flowers survive many cold nights unharmed over several weeks.

Most of the Hamamelis x intermedia hybrid types hold onto their leaves during the winter in the southeast. The popular cultivar 'Arnold Promise' is one of the worst offenders for winter leaf retention.

Chinese witchazels retain (don't drop) their dried leaves through most of the winter, essentially hiding most of the tiny flowers beneath them. Autumn weather plays an important factor. If fall temperature drops are gradual, leaves will drop. A warm fall followed by a quick cold snap will stick leaves to branches all winter long. Often, this is what occurs in the southeastern U.S. (garden hardiness zones 6b - 8a).

1-15-10 Conversation with Brian Upchurch at Highland Creek Nursery in Fletcher, NC
Brian recommends planting Chinese witchhazel cultivars which tend to shed all foliage before flowering starts. His favorites are 'Wisley Supreme' (bright yellow blooms), 'Robert' (orange) and 'Twilight' (red). He adds that all three do not suffer from powdery mildew foliar disease as Arnold Promise does over the summer months. He adds that the cultivar 'Westerstead' is a better choice than Arnold Promise in the hybrid witchhazels.