Hamamelis

HAMAMELIS (ham-ah-mee’-lis) Witch-hazel. Hardy deciduous shrubs or small trees, native to North America and Asia.

They are of special interest because of their season of bloom, which is from late fall to early spring. The fragrant flowers with narrow wavy petals, are borne in clusters. Witch-hazels do well in sandy loam, and the native kinds can stand more shade and moisture than those from Asia. In habit they are vigorous and bushy, with good foliage which turns yellow and orange in the fall.

Enemies

Two species of plant lice that cause conspicuous galls on witch-hazel, have an alternate host, birch, on which they cause serious damage. A cone gall commonly occurs on the foliage and a spiny gall deforms the buds. There is no practical control for either.

Propagation is by seeds, which usually do not germinate until the second year, by layers, and also by grafting.

Principal Species

Hamamelis virginiana, which occurs from Canada to Florida, is a large shrub or tree to 25 ft. It is conspicuous, as the light yellow flowers appear while the leaves are falling.

Hamamelis vernalis, from the southern part of the country, grows to 6 ft., and opens its yellow petals from a dark red calix in winter.

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Hamamelis japonica is a shrub or tree to 30 ft., with bright yellow petals and purplish calyx. In var. flavo-purpurascens the petals are reddish and rise from a deep purple calyx.

Hamamelis monis, another Asiatic shrub or tree to 30 ft., is the showiest of all the witch-hazels. The leaves are grayish-white beneath, and the flowers have golden yellow petals from a purplish red calyx.

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• Red Bud
• Venidium
• Hackberry
• Solanum – Nightshade