Some cheer when it is most needed.

Hamamelis x intermedia , commonly known as Witch Hazel, is an excellent winter flowering shrub for the south coast. This species is a cultivated hybrid resulting from a cross between H. mollis (Chinese Witch Hazel) and H. japonica (Japanese Witch Hazel). These winter blooming hybrids are large shrubs that can attain 12 to 15 feet high and wide. They are well suited to use in shrub borders and woodland gardens.

H. x intermedia

Hamamelis x intermedia has a spreading habit with angular or zigziging branches. They are interesting focal points in the fall garden with their bright autumn foliage. In the winter lovely yellow through orange flower clusters appear on bare wood. The flowers are truly interesting, as their narrow, crumpled petals remind one of shredded coconut, mopheads or perhaps spiders. Another attraction of most Witch Hazel blooms is their fragrance and cool winter temperatures allow the blooms to display over a long period.

Hamamelis x intermedia thrive in rich to medium quality, well-drained acidic organic soil. These plants perfer full sun to part shade, but bloom best in full sun. Within shrub borders they need room to grow. When planting keep in mind that they have a horizontally spreading habit and look best when set off a little from adjacent plants. There are few pests or diseases that attack Witch Hazel. These hybrids are well placed in a Green garden as they need very little attention, maintenance and only average summer water.

Pruning Hamamelis x intermedia involves the removal of poorly placed branches, those that are center growing, crossing, rubbing, or weak. Most plants are grafts and all suckers (shoots sprouting low on the stem or at the root crown) should be removed.Flowering stems may be cut for fragrant winter flower arrangements. As the plants grow in size they can be pruned in spring (after flowering) to control shape and size.

There are many excellent cultivars to add fall and winter interest to your gardens. Here are a few to consider.

'Allgold' – Deep Yellow Flowers with red sepals; yellow fall foliage.

'Carmine Red' – Light red flowers; red-orange fall foliage.

'Diane' – Dark red flowers maturing to orange red. Red-purple fall foliage.

H. x intermedia 'Diane'

'Jelena' ('Copper Beauty') - Coppery orange flowers.

'Magic Fire' ('Fire Charm') – Flowers in coppery orange. Fiery red fall foliage.

'Pallida' – Luminous light yellow flowers. Yellow fall foliage.

'Ruby Glow' – Coppery red flowers. Bright red fall foliage.

''Sunburst' – Heavy clusters of radiant yellow, unscented flowers. Yellow fall foliage.

'Westerstede' – Unshaded yellow-orange flowers. Orange-red fall foliage.