Witch Hazel Hamamelis virginiana 10 Seeds USA Company
Witch Hazel Hamamelis virginiana 10 Seeds USA Company
Hamamelis virginiana, commonly known as American witch-hazel, is a deciduous shrub or small tree that belongs to the Hamamelidaceae family. Here's a detailed description of the plant:
Physical Characteristics
Height: Typically grows to a height of 15-20 feet (4.5-6 meters), but can occasionally reach up to 30 feet (9 meters).
Spread: The plant has a similar spread to its height, forming a rounded or vase-shaped crown.
Bark: The bark is smooth and grayish-brown, sometimes becoming scaly with age.
Leaves: The leaves are simple, alternate, and oval-shaped with wavy or toothed edges. They are 3-6 inches (7.5-15 cm) long and 2-4 inches (5-10 cm) wide. In autumn, the leaves turn a bright yellow, adding to the plant's ornamental appeal.
Flowers
Bloom Time: Hamamelis virginiana is unique in that it flowers in the late fall to early winter (October to December).
Appearance: The flowers are yellow with narrow, crinkled petals that are about 0.5-0.75 inches (1.2-2 cm) long. Each flower has four strap-like petals and is fragrant.
Arrangement: The flowers are borne in clusters along the branches, creating a striking contrast against the bare branches or remaining foliage.
Fruit
Type: The fruit is a hard, woody capsule about 0.5 inches (1.2 cm) long.
Maturation: Fruits take about a year to mature, ripening the following fall after flowering.
Dispersal: When mature, the capsules explosively split open, ejecting the seeds several feet away from the parent plant.
Habitat and Distribution
Native Range: Hamamelis virginiana is native to eastern North America, from Nova Scotia west to Minnesota and south to central Florida and eastern Texas.
Habitat: It thrives in moist, well-drained soils and is commonly found in the understory of deciduous forests, along streams, and in wooded swamps.
Uses and Benefits
Medicinal: The plant has a long history of medicinal use by Native Americans and early settlers. Extracts from the bark and leaves are used to make witch-hazel, an astringent and anti-inflammatory remedy for skin conditions.
Ornamental: Due to its unusual blooming time and attractive fall foliage, Hamamelis virginiana is often used as an ornamental plant in gardens and landscapes.
Wildlife: The plant provides food and habitat for various wildlife species. Its seeds are eaten by birds, and its dense branching offers shelter for small animals.
Care and Maintenance
Sunlight: Prefers partial to full shade, though it can tolerate full sun with adequate moisture.
Soil: Grows best in moist, acidic, well-drained soils but is adaptable to a variety of soil types.
Water: Regular watering is important, especially in dry periods. It is relatively drought-tolerant once established. Hardy in zones 3-9.
Growing Instructions for the Witch Hazel
The seeds are dormant and can take a period of time to germinate. The seeds take 1-2 years to sprout. Seeds collected and planted in the fall may germinate the following spring or they may germinate the second spring or even longer. The seeds need a period of warm stratification followed by a period of cold stratification to break their dormancy and germinate. They can be planted outdoors or they can be stratified to break their dormancy. 1. Soak the seeds for 24 hours. Warm stratify the seeds for 4 months. 2. Cold stratify the seeds for 3 months. 3. sow the seeds on rich, moist soil. 4. Cover the seeds with a thin layer of soil. 5 When the seedlings are a few inches tall, they can be transplanted.