The witch hazel, also known by its Latin name Hamamelis, is relatively robust and resilient. However, it reacts quite sensitively to some circumstances, in addition to a lack of water in summer, this also includes an unprofessional or radical cut.
The witch hazel is reluctant to be cut back
If you have chosen a good location for your witch hazel, i.e. sunny or in partial shade and with loose, nutrient-rich soil, then the plant requires little care. As long as the soil is moist, you don't even need to water your witch hazel. If she does not feel well, then she shows this clearly through stunted growth and meager or no flowering.
How do I properly prune witch hazel?
With the witch hazel, you should only remove old, dry branches and twigs, because it is very intolerant of pruning. You may need to lightly thin out your witch hazel after flowering. It grows very slowly, so it doesn't need serious pruning. Gaps caused by a cut only close up after a long time and cuts also heal very slowly.
It is therefore better not to prune the witch hazel at all than to attack it too much with secateurs. However, should it ever be necessary, only use clean and very sharp tools so that you do not injure your witch hazel unnecessarily.
With a light topiary, only cut off relatively young shoots, no thick branches that are in the sap. On the one hand, the cut leaves unsightly gaps and, on the other hand, it weakens the plant.
What happens to my witch hazel after a radical cut?
If the witch hazel is pruned too much, then it will take care of itself. She needs a lot of time to recover. In the first few years after pruning too radically, witch hazel will not bloom. In the worst case, the witch hazel even dies. It is therefore better to avoid a radical cut and only bring your witch hazel into the desired shape very carefully.
Important cutting tips for witch hazel:
- crop as little as possible
- Avoid radical cut
- only lighten slightly
- remove dry twigs and branches
- only use clean and sharp tools
tips
Prune your witch hazel very carefully, it will quickly resent a vigorous cut and the damage done will be visible for a long time.