Witch Hazel ( Hamamelis ) is a genus of deciduous shrubs known for their unique , ribbon - alike flush that bloom during the late winter to other spring , a time when few other plants are in bloom . These plants are native to North America and parts of Asia , and they are fete for their ability to bring gloss and aroma to the garden during the dusty months . The flowers , which range from scandalmongering to cerise , often have a seraphic scent that can permeate the air , making Witch Hazel a sensory pleasure in the torpid time of year .

Witch Hazel plants have historic and contemporary habit in herbal medicine . The bark and leaves of the plant life arrest tannins and other compound that have acerb attribute , which are used in various skin care products to soothe inflammation , reduce bump , and treat skin irritations . In traditional medical specialty , especially among aboriginal American tribes , Witch Hazel was used for treating ailments ranging from cutting off and bruise to more serious conditions like dysentery .

Witch Hazel bush are comparatively scurvy - maintenance , opt well - drained , acidic to neutral soil . They can grow in full sun to partial spook , though they often produce more vivacious autumn foliage and better blossom in fix with some good afternoon shade . These plant are also valued for their fall show , with leaves turning into glorious specter of yellowed , orange , and red , thus supply year - cycle interest group in the garden . Their size , which can set out from small to large bush , makes them versatile for various landscape designs , from borders and hedges to standalone specimens or forest garden .

Types of Witch Hazel Varieties

Common Witch Hazel ( Hamamelis virginiana )

aboriginal to North America , particularly from Nova Scotia to Florida and west to Minnesota . This is the most wide known variety show , aboriginal to North America . It blooms in late fall to early wintertime with white-livered , fragrant blossom . It ’s valued not only for its ornamental quality but also for its medicinal properties , particularly in skin care products .

Vernal Witch Hazel ( Hamamelis vernalis )

From the Ozark Plateau in Missouri , Oklahoma , and Arkansas of the central United States , this form is make out for its early blooming period , often start in late winter . It offers a spectrum of colors from chickenhearted to copper - red , make it a garden favorite for its hardiness and color variation .

‘ Pallida ’ ( Hamamelis x intermedia ‘ Pallida ’ )

This intercrossed cultivar , a cross between H. japonica and H. mollis , does well in USDA zona 5 - 8 . A hybrid cultivar , ‘ Pallida ’ is prized for its prominent , sweetly scented , soft yellow peak that appear in late winter . It ’s one of the more popular variety show due to its vibrant prime and the manner they counterpoint against the bare arm .

‘ Diane ’ ( Hamamelis x intermedia ‘ Diane ’ )

This cultivar is renowned for its inscrutable Red River to copper flowers , which are quite striking against the winter landscape . It ’s a turn more sore to tardy frosts but pop the question a beautiful , bold color when it does blooming .

‘ Arnold Promise ’ ( Hamamelis x intermedia ‘ Arnold Promise ’ )

Another hybrid , ‘ Arnold Promise ’ produces bright yellow flush that have a fresh scent . It ’s one of the later bloomers among the intermedia hybrids , often bloom into late winter or early spring , providing a long time of year of interest .

Taiwanese Witch Hazel ( Hamamelis mollis )

aboriginal to China , this species is noted for its richly sweet , halcyon - yellow prime which can be passably larger than those of other species . Its blossom often seem in mid to recent winter , bringing a fusillade of colouring material and scent to the garden .

Nipponese Witch Hazel ( Hamamelis japonica )

Hailing from Japan , this species is somewhat less common in westerly gardens but suitable for USDA geographical zone 5 - 8 . It feature modest , less fragrant flowers , often in reddish hues , that flower in early spring .

‘ Jelena ’ ( Hamamelis x intermedia ‘ Jelena ’ )

Like other intermedia hybrids start from European refinement . ‘ Jelena ’ is a standout for its coppery - Orange River blossom , which are both fragrant and visually stunning . This variety can brighten up the greyest wintertime sidereal day with its warm tones and is considered one of the best for ornamental time value .

‘ Brevipetala ’ ( Hamamelis x intermedia ‘ Brevipetala ’ )

This cross , like others in its group , was developed in Europe . ‘ Brevipetala ’ is noted for its short flower petal , giving it a distinct look among the intermedia hybrids . Its flowers are a rich yellowness , sometimes with hints of orangeness , blooming in belated wintertime . The plant grows to a medium size , volunteer a good balance of ornamental and practical garden uses , with its dense habit make it worthy for screening or as a specimen plant .

‘ Ruby Glow ’ ( Hamamelis x intermedia ‘ Ruby Glow ’ )

Another intermedia crossbreed , this variety is particularly admire for its deep , ruby - crimson flowers that glow against the winter backdrop , hence its name . The bloom are less fragrant than some other assortment but compensate with their sensational coloring . ‘ Ruby Glow ’ can grow quite large , making it an fantabulous choice for larger gardens or as a focal period where its vivacious prime can be appreciated from afar .

‘ Primavera ’ ( Hamamelis x intermedia ‘ Primavera ’ )

‘ Primavera ’ herald from European cultivation . Its name mean “ saltation ” in Italian , reflecting its lustrous yellow flowers that suggest the coming of spring even in the depth of winter . This variety is known for its strong , sweet fragrance , which can aromatize the garden on mild days . ‘ Primavera ’ has a more spreading habit , which can be idealistic for pass over larger areas or as an intimate hedge .

‘ Orange Beauty ’ ( Hamamelis x intermedia ‘ Orange Beauty ’ )

‘ Orange Beauty ’ is another European hybrid known for its vibrant orange flowers . These rosiness are not only visually striking but also transmit a insidious aroma , adding a tactual sensation of warmth to the wintertime garden . The plant life ’s leaves turn to vibrant colors in fall , providing extra cosmetic economic value . ‘ Orange Beauty ’ has a rounded growth habit , draw it worthy for small to medium - sized gardens where space is at a exchange premium .

‘ Livia ’ ( Hamamelis x intermedia ‘ Livia ’ )

‘ Livia ’ has enceinte , copper - red heyday that come along in previous wintertime . This mixture has a more open growth riding habit , which can be advantageous for underplanting or permit luminousness to reach the ground below . The flowers are somewhat fragrant , and the autumn foliage turns a brilliant orange red , offering class - turn interest .

‘ Wisley Supreme ’ ( Hamamelis x intermedia ‘ Wisley Supreme ’ )

This cultivar was key after the famed RHS Garden Wisley in England . It boasts brilliant yellow flowers with a inviolable perfume , making it a garden favorite . The bloom appear in late winter to early spring , and the plant itself has a more or less upright increment , which can be used to make interesting erect elements in garden pattern .

‘ Westerstede ’ ( Hamamelis x intermedia ‘ Westerstede ’ )

‘ Westerstede ’ is know for its clear , pale yellow flower that are turgid than many other intermedia hybrids . This assortment offers a sweet-flavored , subtle fragrance that can be observe on warmer winter days . Its increase drug abuse is more sprawling , which can be advantageous for covering ground or creating informal barriers in the garden .

‘ Aphrodite ’ ( Hamamelis x intermedia ‘ Aphrodite ’ )

Suited for USDA zone 5 - 8 , ‘ Aphrodite ’ is look up to for its fragrant , coppery - orange to carmine flowers , which are among the big in the intermedia grouping . Named after the Greek goddess of sexual love , its blooms are not just visually appealing but also carry a sweet scent . ‘ Aphrodite ’ has a somewhat more capable and spreading habit , which means it needs elbow room to rise , making it idealistic for magnanimous space or as a prominent feature in a wintertime garden .

‘ Feuerzauber ’ ( Hamamelis x intermedia ‘ Feuerzauber ’ )

Also know as ‘ Magic Fire was developed in Germany . ‘ Feuerzauber ’ boasts fervent red flowers with an orange tree gleaming at the Qaeda , supply a spectacular contrast in the winter garden . The prime are fragrant , and its autumn foliage turn a brilliant palette of yellowish , orange , and red . This shrub has a more upright growth habit , make it a good pick for small garden or as part of a sundry border .

‘ Glowing Embers ’ ( Hamamelis x intermedia ‘ Glowing ember ’ )

‘ Glowing coal ’ is a cultivar known for its copper - red flowers that indeed seem to glow against the winter sky . The fragrance is modest but mellisonant , and this plant ’s leaves can wrick into a spectacular video display of fall colors . It has a medium growth rate with a spreading cast , which can be useful for creating privacy or as a background for other plants .

‘ Rochester ’ ( Hamamelis x intermedia ‘ Rochester ’ )

Has large , coppery - red flowers that bloom in late wintertime . This salmagundi has a somewhat candid growth habit , providing space for other plants beneath it . Its peak have a bun in the oven a insidious fragrance , and the autumn result turn a brilliant bolshie , spend a penny ‘ Rochester ’ a plant with seasonal interest .

‘ Sunburst ’ ( Hamamelis x intermedia ‘ Sunburst ’ )

‘ Sunburst ’ has bright yellow , fragrant blossom that appear to burst onward like the sun in wintertime . This cultivar has a more heavyset growth habit , which is advantageous for smaller spaces or as part of a bush border . The foliation turns to striking spook of yellow and orange in the fall , lend to its twelvemonth - troll appeal .

‘ Jermyns Gold ’ ( Hamamelis x intermedia ‘ Jermyns Gold ’ )

This variety is named after Jermyns House in England where it was introduced . ‘ Jermyns Gold ’ have expectant , gold - yellow peak with a sweet , strong fragrance . Its growth is fairly spreading , making it fantabulous for get over slope or as an loose hedge . The fall color of its leaves adds another stratum of lulu with hues of amber and orange .

‘ Barmstedt Gold ’ ( Hamamelis x intermedia ‘ Barmstedt Gold ’ )

‘ Barmstedt Gold ’ is notable for its large , bright yellow flower that are profoundly fragrant . This cultivar tends to have a more rounded habit , which can be used to create focal points in garden designs or as a standalone specimen . The autumn foliation wrick to a vibrant gold , enhancing its seasonal sake .

‘ Hiltingbury ’ ( Hamamelis x intermedia ‘ Hiltingbury ’ )

This variety is known for its rich , coppery - orange bloom which flower in late wintertime . ‘ Hiltingbury ’ has a dense , upright growth drug abuse , making it a good choice for privacy screens or as a windbreak . Its blooms are middling fragrant , and the leave in fall presentation a mixture of jaundiced and red , providing a coloured transition into winter .

‘ Nina ’ ( Hamamelis x intermedia ‘ Nina ’ )

‘ Nina ’ put up brilliant yellowish flowers with a delicious scent , blossom in former winter . Named after Nina Dobitzhofer , who bred this variety in Germany , ‘ Nina ’ has a more stocky and shaggy-coated growth habit , ideal for smaller garden or container planting . Its fall folio color is a vivid yellow , which can make a sheer statement in the landscape painting .