Common Witch Hazel

About Common Witch Hazel

Common Witch Hazel is a truly unique native shrub that saves its best performance for the very end of the year. While most plants are entering dormancy, Witch Hazel bursts into bloom in October and November, displaying fragrant, ribbon-like yellow flowers that cling to the branches even as the leaves turn gold and fall. This deciduous shrub or small tree can reach 15 to 30 feet in height and is native to the woodlands of eastern North America. It is highly adaptable, growing well in full sun to partial shade and preferring medium-moisture, slightly acidic soils. Beyond its ornamental value, Witch Hazel is a vital late-season resource for owlet moths and other cold-hardy pollinators. Its seeds are also a food source for birds and squirrels. Famous for its medicinal properties, the bark and leaves are still used today to produce astringents. In the landscape, it serves as an excellent understory tree or a striking focal point for fall and winter interest.