If you were looking forward to a lush bloom in summer, then you will be disappointed by the witch hazel - or rather surprised, because it only blooms in winter, usually from January, in a mild winter from December.
Witch hazel does not flower in summer
The flower color is delicate or bright yellow, orange or even red depending on the variety you have chosen. The four petals are long and narrow. They look a bit like colorful spiders. However, because the buds grow in clusters, they make for a pretty sight. In addition, they smell quite pleasant.
Does witch hazel need special care in summer?
In a "typical North German summer" with occasional rain, you don't have to worry about your witch hazel and you don't have to take special care of it. She has everything she needs for good growth. If she is in very poor soil, she can do well with a little organic fertilizer. However, you should work this into the soil in the spring. A layer of mulch then protects the soil from drying out.
Early summer is a good time to propagate witch hazel by layering. Choose a healthy and flexible long shoot for this. Partially strip it of its leaves and lightly cut the underside to facilitate rooting.
Now bend this part of the shoot towards the ground and cover it with some soil. Fix the shoot with tent pegs or weigh it down with a stone so that it really stays in the ground. It now takes some time for roots to form. Only then can you separate the young plant from the mother plant and transplant it.
Summer tips for witch hazel:
- no special care required
- Don't let the root ball dry out
- Water occasionally during prolonged drought
- Late summer good time for sinkers
tips
Especially in a dry summer, make sure your witch hazel's root ball doesn't get too dry or it won't flower the next season.