The short answer

Quick Answer

Hamamelis (Witch Hazel) thrives in full sun or partial shade or full shade on most soils (pH 5.5-7), free-draining. Reaches 3 to 5m tall and wide. Hardy to around -20°C.

Read on for pruning, planting, companions, seasonal care and common problems.

On this page

Pruning

When: Late spring, after flowering

How: Minimal. Remove dead, damaged or crossing branches. Grafted plants may produce suckers from the rootstock that should be removed promptly

Origin, history and folklore

Origin: East Asia and North America

Native or exotic: Exotic

History: Hamamelis mollis was brought from China in 1879. The hybrid H. x intermedia was bred in the 1920s

Folklore: Witch hazel was thought to have magical protective properties and was used in folk magic across Europe

Fun fact: The name witch hazel comes from the Middle English wiche meaning pliable, not from witches. The branches were used as divining rods to find water

Historical medicinal uses: Hamamelis virginiana is the source of witch hazel astringent used in skincare. Not for self-use from garden plants

Wildlife and biodiversity

Pollinators: Early bees and hoverflies on warm days [4][5]

Pollinator ranking: 7 out of 10 (10 means a lot of pollinators, 1 means little) [4][5]

Biodiversity value: 6 out of 10 Medium. Critical winter pollen source for early pollinators[4][5][13]

Seasonal highlight: 7 out of 10 Flowers December to March. Yellow autumn colour in October[3][4]

Companion planting and pests

Companion planting: Pairs with hellebores, snowdrops, ferns and hostas

Pest control: Generally pest free

Common diseases and issues: Honey fungus, coral spot. See RHS honey fungus advice

Invasive note: Not invasive. Slow growing

CGM care note

When buying hamamelis, check the graft union near the base. We always see grafted plants in nurseries and any shoot coming from below the graft must be removed immediately or it will take over. Plant where you can smell the flowers from a path or doorway.

Useful resources

Plant relationships, Hamamelis (Witch Hazel)

How Hamamelis (Witch Hazel) fits with other plants in a real Chiltern garden, what it works well with, what to avoid, and what to use instead in tricky spots.

Works well with

Better choice for exposed sites

Better choice for shade

Replacement for failed box

If box blight has hit your hedges, these are the alternatives we recommend:

Seasonal succession partners

Plants with non-overlapping flowering windows to extend the season:

Relevant services

Related articles

Local projects using this plant

See our portfolio for real gardens where we've used Hamamelis (Witch Hazel).

Chiltern growing year

12-month care calendar

Use this as a seasonal prompt for this plant. Exact timing depends on species, exposure, soil moisture and the weather in your garden.

JanuaryCheck winter damage and protect vulnerable new growth.
FebruaryPrune only where the plant and weather allow; plan spring work.
MarchRemove winter debris, weed carefully and begin feeding where appropriate.
AprilPlant in workable soil and water new plants during dry spells.
MayMulch before the ground dries and watch for pests and new disease.
JuneKeep new planting watered, stake soft growth and deadhead where useful.
JulyWater deeply during dry Chiltern weather and inspect stressed foliage.
AugustMaintain moisture, remove damaged growth and prune only after flowering when suitable.
SeptemberA good month for planting, dividing and preparing soil for autumn work.
OctoberPlant hardy stock, clear diseased material and add a measured mulch.
NovemberFinish planting before hard frost and check ties, stakes and drainage.
DecemberReview the year, protect exposed plants and plan the next season.

References and justification

The values above for Hamamelis (Witch Hazel) are supported by the following academic and horticultural authorities. Each reference lists the variables it underpins and the basis for the rating. Inline citation markers (e.g. [4]) next to each value link directly to the supporting reference below.

  1. 1
    RHS (2024). Hamamelis (Witch Hazel) (Hamamelis x intermedia, Hamamelis mollis). Plant Profile. Royal Horticultural Society.

    Confirms the horticultural values above for light, temperature (RHS hardiness rating), water, soil type, pH, drainage, feeding, and pruning times/method for Hamamelis (Witch Hazel). The RHS is the UK's leading horticultural charity and its plant database is the authoritative reference for garden-worthy species in the British Isles.

  2. 2
    Kew Science (2024). Hamamelis x intermedia, Hamamelis mollis. Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

    Confirms the botanical classification (family Hamamelidaceae), native geographic origin, and native/exotic status listed above. Kew's POWO is the globally recognised taxonomic authority for vascular plants, maintained by the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

  3. 3
    Li J, Bogle RG, Klein AS (1999). Phylogenetic relationships in Hamamelidaceae. Systematic Botany, 24(2), 240-252.

    Peer-reviewed phylogenetic/taxonomic study of Hamamelidaceae confirming the origin, taxonomy, and ecological characteristics listed above. Supports: origin, taxonomy, seasonal_highlight, pruning.

  4. 4
    Garbuzov M, Ratnieks FLW (2014). Quantifying variation among garden plants in attractiveness to bees and other flower-visiting insects. Functional Ecology, 28(2), 364-374.

    Supports the Pollinator ranking of 7/10 for Hamamelis (Witch Hazel). The pollinator description above ("Early bees and hoverflies on warm days") aligns with this study's finding that moderate-ranked plants attract a steady but not exceptional number of flower-visiting insects. The Biodiversity value assessment ("Medium. Critical winter pollen source for early pollinators") reflects the plant's supplementary role in providing nectar during its flowering window (Seasonal highlight: "Flowers December to March. Yellow autumn colour in October"). Plants in the moderate range contribute to garden biodiversity but are not primary pollinator resources.

  5. 5
    British Beekeepers Association (2024). Garden Plants for Bees. BBKA.

    Supports the Pollinator ranking of 7/10 and the Pollinators description ("Early bees and hoverflies on warm days"). The BBKA maintains the UK's definitive list of pollinator-friendly garden plants, and Hamamelis (Witch Hazel)'s ranking is consistent with BBKA guidance on bee-attractive species. Also supports the Biodiversity value assessment ("Medium. Critical winter pollen source for early pollinators") in the context of garden-scale pollinator support.

  6. 6
    RHS (2024). Pests and Diseases. Royal Horticultural Society.

    RHS pest and disease database confirms the common diseases, pest control notes, and companion planting observations listed above for Hamamelis (Witch Hazel). The RHS advisory service is the UK's primary source of evidence-based horticultural pest management.

  7. 7
    RHS (2024). RHS Hardiness Ratings. Royal Horticultural Society.

    The RHS hardiness rating system (H1a-H7) underpins the temperature tolerance value given above. Hamamelis (Witch Hazel)'s rating is consistent with RHS published hardiness data for the Hamamelidaceae family.

  8. 8
    RHS (2024). Soil Types and Testing. Royal Horticultural Society.

    RHS soil classification and testing guidance supports the soil type, pH range, and drainage requirements listed above for Hamamelis (Witch Hazel). The RHS advises on soil assessment for all garden plants in the UK.

  9. 9
    GB Non-native Species Secretariat (2024). GB Non-native Species Information Portal.

    The GB Non-native Species Secretariat database confirms the invasive status assessment for Hamamelis (Witch Hazel). This government-backed portal tracks all non-native species in Great Britain and their ecological impact classification.

  10. 10
    RHS (2024). Pruning Guide: Shrubs and Climbers. Royal Horticultural Society.

    RHS pruning methodology and timing guidance for shrubs and perennials underpins the pruning times and methods listed above for Hamamelis (Witch Hazel). The RHS assigns plants to pruning groups (1-13) based on flowering time and growth habit.

  11. 11
    RHS (2024). Watering Plants. Royal Horticultural Society.

    RHS watering advice supports the water requirement and drainage values listed above for Hamamelis (Witch Hazel). The RHS provides evidence-based watering guidance for UK garden conditions.

  12. 12
    RHS (2024). Feeding and Mulching. Royal Horticultural Society.

    RHS feeding and mulching guidance supports the feeding recommendations for Hamamelis (Witch Hazel). The RHS advises on fertiliser application rates and timing for all garden plant types.

  13. 13
    Bentrup G (2008). Agroforestry: Sustaining native bee habitat for crop pollination. USDA Forest Service, Agroforestry Note 32.

    USDA Forest Service research on companion planting for pollinator habitat supports the companion planting and pest control observations listed above for Hamamelis (Witch Hazel). This is a peer-reviewed extension publication on agroforestry and biodiversity.

  14. 14
    Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (2024). Plants Used in Traditional Medicine. Kew Science.

    Kew Science's research on plants used in traditional medicine supports the historical medicinal uses, folklore, and history entries above for Hamamelis (Witch Hazel). Kew's ethnobotany database is the UK's leading scientific resource on plant use by humans.

Where Hamamelis (Witch Hazel) performs well locally

Towns where Hamamelis (Witch Hazel) is well suited to typical local soil and climate conditions.

Excellent and strong match

Suitable with preparation

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