Vernal Witch Hazel

The Vernal Witchhazel will be one of the very first plants to welcome spring when it blooms in late February or early March. The star-shaped flowers have extended yellow straps and red calyces. The flowers are frost-resistant, fragrant, and bloom in clusters on bare branches. During late spring, rounded leaves in a light green hue with hints of bronze emerge. By fall, the leaves of the Hamamelis vernalis turn a bright and festive buttery yellow. This is a large shrub with woody open branches and can be used to create borders or hedges or provide color and visual interest to an ample outdoor space. Vernal Witchhazel is deciduous, but the foliage often stays on the plant throughout the winter, and the branches are only completely bare for a short period of time. This plant is native to the southern and central areas of North America. Witch Hazel spreads via underground stolons and will create large colonies. This plant is a hardy, adaptable perennial in USDA zones 4 through 8. Vernal Witchhazel Care Vernal Witchhazel does best in full sun and moist soil, but it is tolerant and can handle partial sun and dry soil. The soil pH can be acidic or neutral. This plant has low water needs and will need a drink when the top several inches of soil dries out. Apply a balanced plant food 3 to 4 times during the late spring and early summer. Prune to shape during the spring after the flowering is done. Remove suckers or stolons to manage the size of the plant. Vernal Witchhazel Spacing This perennial has an upright, branching growth habit and will grow 8 to 10 feet tall and 10 to 12 feet wide. Space shrubs 12 to 17 feet apart.