Hamamelis virginiana

Description

Growing as a deciduous multistem tall shrub or small tree with a vase shape, Hamamelis virginiana is most noticeable in the fall when it starts flowering; an odd habit, especially in cold climates, but so nice to witness the bright yellow flowers adorning the almost bare branches in late fall. They have narrow, curly petals and a spicy fragrance. The foliage also takes a golden hue in late fall.

Following the odd flowering, the fruit maturation is also unusual, taking a few months, with the seeds explosively expelled from the woody capsules in the same time with the new blooming. It is a very interesting dispersal method – read more about this from a recent post here.

The American witch-hazel is very nice small tree for the garden, quite adaptable substrate wise, with the exception of those too dry. It grows well in shaded locations but it will flower better with more sun provided.

Germination: The seeds require alternate cycles of warm and cold for germination. Considering they have just been collected, if we sow in outdoor pots in late fall/winter, it means they will germinate in the second year after sowing.
Other options are: using moist stratification in plastic bags: place the seeds in Ziploc bags with moist media in the fall, keep at room temp. for 2 months, then place outdoors for the cold cycle 3 months (or in the fridge). If we sow somewhere in November, count: mid-Nov – mid-Jan. for the warm cycle, then Feb, March, April for cold. It is tight for the cold requirements, but worth trying.

Or, sow the seeds in late spring/summer and let it all happen naturally!