Similar to the winter jasmine, the witch hazel also shows its flowers in winter. However, the flowers have an unusual shape, resembling yellow or orange spiders. Only the Hamamelis virginiana blooms in soft yellow at the beginning of autumn.
Snow and cold cannot harm the witch hazel
Depending on the variety, the flowering time varies a little, but it is usually between January and March. The color palette ranges from soft yellow to orange to a very strong red in the case of the hybrid variety Diane.
What all varieties have in common, however, is that they will not flower if they do not feel comfortable in their location. The witch hazel likes it sunny and sheltered from the wind. In addition, the root ball must not dry out even in summer.
Can I support witch hazel flowering?
By choosing the right location, you have done a lot for your witch hazel to bloom lushly. Now she just needs enough nutrients and enough water. You don't have to do much for this on humus-rich and well-drained, slightly moist soil. In the spring, fertilize your witch hazel with some organic fertilizer and if the drought lasts longer, water the plant a little.
Flowering time and color of various types of witch hazel:
- Hamamelis virginiana, Virginia witch hazel: delicate yellow flowers, blooms from October
- Hamamelis vernalis, spring witch hazel: flower color orange-yellow, flowering period: January to February
- Hamamelis japonica, Japanese witch hazel: bright yellow flowers, flowering period: January to February
- Hamamelis mollis, Chinese witch hazel: golden-yellow, delicately scented flowers, flowering period: February to March
tips
If you want to plant several witch hazel bushes in your garden, then combine different species with different flower colors or those with different flowering times.