Hamamelis japonica
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Common Name: Japanese witch hazel
Type: Deciduous shrub
Family: Hamamelidaceae
Zone: 5 to 8
Native Range: Japan
Height: 10 to 15 feet
Spread: 10 to 15 feet
Bloom Time: January to March
Bloom Color: Yellow
Bloom Description: Yellow
Sun: Full sun to part shade
Water: Medium
Maintenance: Low
Flowers: Showy Flowers, Fragrant Flowers
Leaves: Good Fall Color
Other: Winter Interest
Tolerates: Clay Soil, Deer
Uses: Hedge

Culture

Easily grown in average, medium moisture, well-drained soils in full sun to part shade. Best flowering in full sun. Prefers moist, acidic organically rich soils. Some tolerance for clay soils. Promptly remove any suckers that may occur to prevent colonial spread. Prune in spring after flowering to control shape and size.

Noteworthy Characteristics

Japanese witch hazel is a medium to large, open, upright, deciduous shrub that typically grows 10-15’ tall with a rounded, wide-spreading shape. It is noted for its winter flowers, attractive foliage and fall color. Frost-proof yellow flowers with moderate fragrance appear in clusters on bare branches in mid to late winter (February-March in St. Louis) which is well before the foliage emerges. Each flower has four narrow, strap-shaped petals that are crinkled. Broad ovate to obovate, glossy, medium green leaves (to 4” long) turn yellow, purple and red in autumn. H. japonica species plants may be difficult to locate in commerce. On the other hand, a large number of popular witch hazel cultivars sold under the designation H. x intermedia (H. japonica x H. mollis) are commonly found.

Problems

No serious insect or disease problems. Occasional insect galls (small wasps) appear on the foliage. Japanese beetles may chew on the leaves in some areas. Watch for leaf roller and scale. Potential disease problems include leaf spot, powdery mildew and rots.

Garden Uses

Shrub borders, woodland gardens or backgrounds. Screen or tall hedge. Good as a specimen or in groups.

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