Chinese witch-hazel
Hamamelis mollis · Hamamelidaceae
📷 Kurt Stüber [1] · CC BY-SA 3.0
The gardener's calendar
In autumn, ease off feeding and take the chance to clean up around chinese witch-hazel and prepare for winter.
ID card
- Scientific name
- Hamamelis mollis
- Family
- Hamamelidaceae
- Form
- Shrub
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Flowering
- January to February
- Adult size
- Up to 3 m in height
- Hardiness
- Very hardy (-15 to -20 °C)
- Origin
- Central China
✓ Taxonomy verifiedSource: AI estimate · hardiness: reliability high.
Expert tips
The key tip
Hamamelis mollis flowers in winter on wood formed the previous year; prune very sparingly.
The common mistake
Regularly shaping it with secateurs reduces flowering and throws off the natural form.
The pro's trick
Plant it against a dark or evergreen backdrop to better showcase the winter flowers.
Care
Exposure
Plant your witch hazel in partial shade or in non-scorching sun. Although it tolerates partial shade, a bright exposure promotes generous flowering. Protect it from strong winds that can damage the delicate flowers in winter.
Watering
Keep the soil regularly moist, especially during the first year after planting and during dry periods. Witch hazel appreciates constant moisture but fears waterlogging. Reduce watering in autumn and winter.
Soil
Prefer rich, well-structured soil that is slightly acidic to neutral. Adding organic matter (compost, peat) at planting improves water retention. Avoid overly chalky or compacted soils.
Pruning and cleanup
Prune lightly after flowering to maintain a balanced shape and remove dead or poorly oriented branches. Avoid severe pruning that would reduce the following year's flowering. Regular cleanup is usually sufficient for this species.
Fertilizer
Apply balanced fertilizer in spring after flowering to support growth. In autumn, applying specialized flowering shrub fertilizer can prepare the next winter flowering.
Diseases and pests
Witch hazel is generally robust and little susceptible to pests. Watch for powdery mildew in case of stagnant humidity, and good drainage will prevent root rot. Good air circulation around the shrub is usually sufficient.
Did you know?
Hamamelis mollis, native to China, is one of the rare plants that flowers in the heart of winter in the Northern Hemisphere. Its golden-yellow flowers with very fine petals appear even in frost and release a subtle, sweet fragrance that enchants grey winters. In Asia, it is called the "flower of good fortune" because its appearance coincides with the lunar new year celebrations.
Where to buy it
Best planted in autumn so the roots settle in before summer, or in early spring once the frost has passed. Pick a plant with healthy foliage and roots that are not exposed. Best time: March, October, November.
Add this plant to my garden →Plants from the same family
- Chinese fringe flowerLoropetalum chinense
- Persian ironwoodParrotia persica
- Large witch alderFothergilla latifolia
- Buttercup WinterhazelCorylopsis pauciflora
- Hamamelis intermediaHamamelis intermedia
- Witch hazelHamamelis virginiana
Tips generated and checked by Viridia — adapt them to your local climate.