Chinese witch hazel (Hamamelis mollis) is a captivating species of flowering plant belonging to the Hamamelidaceae family, native to central and eastern China, including regions like Anhui, Guangxi, Hubei, Hunan, Jiangxi, Sichuan, and Zhejiang. It can grow as a large shrub or a small tree, reaching up to 26 feet tall. The leaves are oval, ranging from 8 to 15 cm in length and 6 to 10 cm in width, featuring a wavy-toothed or shallowly lobed margin and turning yellow in the autumn. The plant is noted for its yellow, ribbon-shaped petals that are often 15 mm long, and its flowers bloom in clusters during late winter to early spring, emitting a strong fragrance.
Culturally, Chinese witch hazel is greatly valued for its ornamental appeal, particularly due to its vibrant and fragrant flowers that appear in the winter when not much else is in bloom. It has been the subject of various cultivations to produce different flower colors and sizes, as well as variations in the shrub's size and form. Additionally, it's one of the parent plants of the popular garden hybrid H. × intermedia, alongside H. japonica. Some cultivars like ‘Jermyns Gold’ and ‘Wisley Supreme’ have even been recognized with the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit, highlighting their exceptional qualities.
In terms of care, Chinese witch hazel thrives in average to medium moisture, well-drained soils, and can adapt to full sun or part shade environments. It prefers moist, acidic, organically rich soils but has some tolerance for clay soils as long as drainage is good. The plant requires minimal maintenance, with pruning recommended in spring after flowering to maintain its shape and size. It's generally winter hardy to USDA Zone 5, though it's advisable to plant it in protected locations within this zone to shield it from extreme cold.
For garden use, Chinese witch hazel serves well as a border shrub or as part of a woodland garden. It's valued for its fragrant, late winter flowers and appealing fall foliage, making it an excellent specimen plant. It also offers good resistance to deer and erosion, and can tolerate clay soil.
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