Frequently asked questions How to GROW
What has witch hazel got to do with witches?
Nothing at all. The plant has a general resemblance to the familiar hedgerow hazel, especially the foliage, while in this case ‘witch’ is derived from an Old English word meaning pliable or easily bent. So, more or less literally, ‘witch hazel’ mans ‘the hazel that bends rather than snaps’. The twigs and branches of the usual hazel are much more stiff and snap easily.
My neighbour’s witch hazel has a lovely scent, but my plant has no scent at all. Why is this?
It’s all a question of choosing the right variety, as some witch hazels are strongly scented and some have very little scent. Look for ‘Aphrodite’ (orange), ‘Arnold Promise’ (pale yellow), ‘Aurora’ (bronzed yellow), ‘Pallida’ (pale yellow) or ‘Vesna’ (orange yellow).
My witch hazel is becoming too large for its space. Can I cut it back?
The elegant growth of a mature witch hazel is one of its joys, so allowing it to mature is almost always the best plan. Some varieties may eventually develop into small trees, but you can plant shade-loving perennials and spring-flowering bulbs under its branches.
If your witch hazel and a nearby shrub are maturing together and getting in each other’s way, think carefully before cutting one of them back. Most shrubs respond well to thoughtful pruning to restrict their size, but few shrubs have such an attractive branch structure as a witch hazel so the other shrub will usually be the one to restrict.
My witch hazel is still hanging on to its leaves in late winter and they hide the flowers. How can I make them drop off?
Again, it’s all a matter of choosing the right variety. Some hang on to their leaves with determination, some hang on to them longer than we would like and some drop them promptly.
So to be sure that dry brown foliage never obscures the flowers, look for ‘Arnold Promise’ (pale yellow), ‘Orange Beauty’ (orange-yellow), ‘Pallida’ (pale yellow) or ‘Wisley Supreme’ (pale yellow).