The first day of Spring is synonymous with the Vernal Equinox, meaning equal day and equal night: 12 hours of daylight and 12 hours of darkness. The daylight hours are increasing. In the garden, Spring is marked by the emergence of crocuses,
daffodils,
hyacinths
and eventually tulips.
But another plant is blooming; Vernal Witchhazel.
There are a number of different varieties of Witchhazel that can bloom beginning in the Fall all the way through Spring. This plant can be missed in the garden or the wild because it can bloom when few plants are blooming even fewer gardeners are venturing out of doors. Some whichhazels can be seen in bloom when snow is on the ground.
Most gardeners are focused on the bulbs that were planted last fall. The following BYGL post speaks of bulbs that may be coming through the snow:
https://bygl.osu.edu/node/2098
But Witchhazels can be lost. Depending on the variety, some Witchhazels can even be fragrant. Chinese Witchhazel, Hamamelis mollis, is one of the most fragrant.
Last fall, I was walking through a Hemlock grove at Hogback Ridge in Madison, Ohio
when I stumbled upon a wild Witchhazel along the path in bloom. The date was November 20th, 2024.
This is our native Witchhazel, Hamamelis virginiana, sometimes called Fall or Common Witchhazel.
In the Spring, Vernal Witchhazel, sometimes referred to as Ozark Witchhazel, Hamamelis vernalis is another shrub that can thrive in Ohio.
There are a number of Witchhazel species and interspecific cultivars that can vary in colors of flowers from bright yellows to orange to red. In addition, flowers can range from very fine and dainty,
to bold with wider flower petals.
Tim Brotzman, of Brotzman Nursery is an expert on Hamamelis, boasting over 140 selections including a number of different species and hybrids. Many of the following pictures were taken at his wholesale nursery.
Several varieties that can be found in a local garden center include Copper Beauty Witchhazel which is copper orange,
Barmstedt Gold Witchhazel which has some yellow petals with an orange center,
and Arnold Promise Witchhazel, which is a prolific and vibrant yellow!
The cultivar ‘Birgit’ is a red purple.
But alas, few gardeners are looking for flowering plants in November, or mid-March.
Tim Brotzman's suggestion is that if you want to plant a Witchhazel, plant it close to an entry door so those entering can see, and in some cases, smell the flowers.
The blue green foliage of Witchhazel makes it an attractive as a summer shrub.
Fall colors are bright yellow, orange, and red. It grows well in full sun or part shade in a range of soil types and is pH adaptable.
So, as we leave St. Patrick’s Day behind, you may be dreaming of planting a Witchhazel,
but alas, as we move to the first day of Spring, even if you plant Witchazel now, you will probably have to wait until next Fall (Fall Witchhazel) or Spring (Vernal Witchhazel) to enjoy the flowers.
More information can be found at the BYGL post below on Wonderful Witchhazels:
Happy Spring!
