The better you choose the location for your witch hazel and prepare the planting, the more you can look forward to the flowering of this unusual shrub. Because the witch hazel makes quite a few demands on the soil and location.

Witch hazel is a somewhat demanding shrub

And it reacts quite sensitively when these requirements are not met. Then it grows even more slowly or not at all and the flower also suffers considerably. Either the witch hazel only blooms sparsely or it doesn't bloom at all.

The best location and suitable soil

In its homeland, the witch hazel likes to grow in sparse forests. You should choose the location accordingly, preferably sunny or partially shaded. If witch hazel, as witch hazel is called in Latin, does not get enough light, it will not bloom as well as expected. In addition, the witch hazel should be sheltered from the wind.

The ideal soil for the witch hazel is nutrient-rich, loose and, above all, low in lime. It may be a little sandy or slightly loamy and a little damp. However, the witch hazel does not tolerate waterlogging at all and the soil should not dry out either. Both have a negative effect on growth and flowering.

Although the witch hazel grows very slowly, it nevertheless becomes very large over time. You should take this into account when choosing a location. It requires a relatively large amount of space and is particularly decorative as a solitary plant. Do not plant the witch hazel too close to strong root-forming plants, because the witch hazel does not tolerate any competition. This affects their growth.

Prepare the planting

Choose the spot for your witch hazel carefully as it does not do well when it needs to be transplanted. Loosen up firm soil by adding coarse sand or gravel and dig a sufficiently large planting hole. Put well-ripened garden compost in there, mixed with some horn shavings.(32.93€)

Take care of the freshly planted witch hazel

It takes about two to three years for the witch hazel to take root and start growing properly. You may also have to wait a while for the first flowering. Make sure that the soil around the young witch hazel never dries out. A thick layer of bark mulch around the plant is helpful for this. Water the plant during prolonged drought.

The essentials in brief:

  • sunny or partially shaded location
  • sheltered from the wind
  • loose, humus-rich soil, likes slightly damp
  • Never transplant if possible, so choose the location carefully
  • loosen solid ground with sand or gravel
  • Enrich nutrients with compost and/or horn shavings
  • Bark mulch to prevent the soil from drying out

tips

Choose the location for your witch hazel very carefully, because it does not tolerate transplanting well. Although it grows very slowly, it still reaches a considerable size.

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Trees