Hamamelis

The genus Hamamelis includes 6 winter-hardy deciduous shrubs and trees up to 10 m high. They are characterized by ovate notched-toothed leaves sitting on short petioles, which acquire a very bright color in autumn. Bright yellow, copper or red flowers, 3-4 in axillary racemes, with a corolla of long belt-like petals are sometimes fragrant. They bloom in late winter or early spring. Flowering branches are often used for decorative purposes because they remain in water for a long time. Japanese witch hazel (Hamamelis japonica) comes, as the name suggests, from Japan. This shrub can grow to a considerable tree size. In autumn, its oval leaves turn yellow and acquire a red tint. In early spring, yellow flowers bloom, sometimes with a transition to bright red. Japanese witch hazel (H. japonica arborea) is a tree with a spreading crown up to 9 m high; flowers bloom on it in mid-March. Hamamelis soft (H. mollis) comes from China. It is a shrub of considerable size, its ovoid leaves turn yellow in autumn. With the beginning of spring, fragrant flowers of a rich golden-yellow color bloom with a transition to red towards the base, collected in brushes located along the branch. In the 'Pale' variety, the color of yellow flowers is lighter, with a transition to a lilac-red tone. Intermediate witch hazel (H. x intermedia) is a hybrid characterized by rapid growth. It is obtained from crossing Japanese witch hazel (H. japonica) and soft (H. mollis). Its rounded or ovoid leaves turn yellow in autumn. Flowers with characteristic yellow or copper-colored petals rolled into tubes. Spring witch hazel (H. vernalls) is an upright shrub with gray-green leaves that turn yellow in autumn. Fragrant flowers with a dark red perianth consist of very short, twisted into tubes, brownish-yellow petals. Virginia walnut - (H. virginiana) - an extremely resistant species native to Canada, a large shrub.

The genus Hamamelis includes 6 winter-hardy deciduous shrubs and trees up to 10 m high. They are characterized by ovate notched-toothed leaves sitting on short petioles, which acquire a very bright color in autumn. Bright yellow, copper or red flowers, 3-4 in axillary racemes, with a corolla of long belt-like petals are sometimes fragrant. They bloom in late winter or early spring. Flowering branches are often used for decorative purposes because they remain in water for a long time.

Japanese witch hazel (Hamamelis japonica) comes, as the name suggests, from Japan. This shrub can grow to a considerable tree size. In autumn, its oval leaves turn yellow and acquire a red tint. In early spring, yellow flowers bloom, sometimes with a transition to bright red.

Japanese witch hazel (H. japonica arborea) is a tree with a spreading crown up to 9 m high; flowers bloom on it in mid-March.

Hamamelis soft (H. mollis) comes from China. It is a shrub of considerable size, its ovoid leaves turn yellow in autumn. With the beginning of spring, fragrant flowers of a rich golden-yellow color bloom with a transition to red towards the base, collected in brushes located along the branch. In the 'Pale' variety, the color of yellow flowers is lighter, with a transition to a lilac-red tone.

Intermediate witch hazel (H. x intermedia) is a hybrid characterized by rapid growth. It is obtained from crossing Japanese witch hazel (H. japonica) and soft (H. mollis). Its rounded or ovoid leaves turn yellow in autumn. Flowers with characteristic yellow or copper-colored petals rolled into tubes.

Spring witch hazel (H. vernalls) is an upright shrub with gray-green leaves that turn yellow in autumn. Fragrant flowers with a dark red perianth consist of very short, twisted into tubes, brownish-yellow petals.

Virginia walnut - (H. virginiana) - an extremely resistant species native to Canada, a large shrub.

Cultivation

Hamamelis are highly valued as garden (exclusively open ground) plants of early spring flowering. In addition, the bright autumn color of the foliage is extremely pleasing to the eye. They are often used in shrub curbs as a screen and background. These plants are very resistant to environmental pollution. Witch hazel can be planted permanently in October-November or March, depending on the climate. These plants prefer fairly fertile moist neutral or acidic soils. Peat, decayed foliage, as well as other well-decomposed organic substances must be added to alkaline and drying out soils.

Location

All witch hazel (with the exception of the shade-loving virgin walnut - H. virginiana) love the open sun or partial shade - if only the place is protected from the cold wind.

Temperature

Witch hazel is a resistant species and has no problem with temperature conditions - even in the northern regions. Virgin walnut is particularly resistant.

Watering

It is necessary only for young plants immediately after planting in a permanent place or in conditions of drying out soils and during prolonged drought.

Reproduction

The most common breeding method is by layering. In September, after making an incision from the bottom side, the branches are added in. After rooting, when new shoots appear, the plants are separated from the mother. Successful rooting occurs in only a few cuttings. In September, cuttings "with a heel" 10 cm long are taken from the lateral shoots and planted in a mixture of sand and peat. After the roots appear, the cuttings are planted one by one in pots, which are dropped in the open air. Planting in a permanent place is carried out after 2-3 years. Can be sown in October in regular seed soil. For germination, seeds require a significant period of time - up to 2.5 years. When shoots appear, they are seated individually in cups and then treated in the same way as with plants obtained from cuttings.

Diseases

Pests and diseases are usually not particularly fond of these plants. Pests such as Metcalfа pruinosa are small insects that suck sap from the plant, and also form a pad - the habitat of the rabble. Control measures in this case are insecticide treatment. Of fungal diseases, necrotic leaf spots can be observed associated with the appearance of fungi such as Phillosticta hamamelis and Ramularia Hamamelis. They are disposed of by treatment with fungicides. Plants infected with powdery mildew (the causative agent of Phyllactinia corylea) are treated with sulfur or other fungicidal preparations.

Pests and diseases are usually not particularly fond of these plants. Pests such as Metcalfа pruinosa are small insects that suck sap from the plant, and also form a pad - the habitat of the rabble. Control measures in this case are insecticide treatment.

Of fungal diseases, necrotic leaf spots can be observed associated with the appearance of fungi such as Phillosticta hamamelis and Ramularia Hamamelis. They are disposed of by treatment with fungicides. Plants infected with powdery mildew (the causative agent of Phyllactinia corylea) are treated with sulfur or other fungicidal preparations.

Acquisition

Witch hazel is fairly easy to find in branded horticultural centers and nurseries. Choose strong and branched plants, free from leaf spots and deformation.