Red Leaf Shrub With Yellow and Red Flowers

Identification

• The witch hazel shrub is an upward grower that reaches mature heights of approximately 15 to 20 feet. The leaves of the shrub measure 3 to 6 inches in length, are slightly longer than they are wide and contain prominent veins. The flowers have long, papery petals with a distinct scent that is both spicy and citrus in nature. Healthy witch hazel specimens prefer to grow in full sun and moist, but well-drained soil.

Planting Specifications

• Witch hazel species grow best in U.S. Department of Agriculture hardiness zones 5 through 8 where the winter temperatures remain above minus 20 degrees F. Aside from being sunny and well-drained, the soil must also have a pH between 4.5 and 6.5 in order to thrive. Soils that contain a pH above 6.5 require an application of peat moss to lower the alkalinity prior to planting witch hazel. Soils with a pH below 4.5 require the addition of lime to lessen the acidity.

Care

• Witch hazel shrubs require supplemental watering when the weather is dry. Increase water retention by spreading a -3 to 4-inch layer of mulch around the base of the shrub. Mulching also protects the roots of the witch hazel shrub from extreme temperature changes and suppresses weed growth in the growing location. Witch hazel shrubs are not big feeders but do appreciate a dose of balanced fertilizer during the latter part of the winter or early spring.

Medicinal Uses

• The use of witch hazel as a medicinal remedy dates back to early America and the Native American Indians who derived an extract from the wood of the shrub. In the 1840s, Theron T. Pond secured a patent for a witch hazel-based medicine manufactured through a distillation process. Today, witch hazel is an important ingredient in soaps, creams, deodorants, after shave and cloth wipes. The anti-inflammatory properties in witch hazel make it an ideal remedy for insect bites and irritated hair follicles.