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Characteristics
 Family-
Hamamelidaceae--The Witch-hazel Family
- Origin
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Native NC
- Plant Description
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Deciduous tree to shrub to 10 feet in height; leaves alternate, broad, with rounded, irregular teeth along the margin and an asymmetrical base; flowers in October to December, pale yellow with 4 strap-like petals; fruits mature the following summer, fuzzy brown capsules which split and forcibly eject black seeds.
- Ornamental Characteristics
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Attractive flowers occuring at an unusual time, good yellow fall color.
- Landscape Use
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Shrub border, forest edge planting, natural areas.
- Horticultural Cultivars
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None commonly seen of H. virginiana; horticultural cultivars of exotic hybrid witch-hazels are very popular and grow well in inland coastal gardens if given protection from the wind.
- Availability/Propagation
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Occasionally available in nurseries, there is a need for selection and propagation of coastal ecotypes; transplant seedlings from the wild (with permission)propagate from seed sown outdoors in fall.
- Culture
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Partial shade to full sun, moist, well drained soil.
- Coastal Ecology
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Witch-hazel is a component of the evergreen oak and pine maritime forests, found growing on rich, moist soils as an understory tree. It is not salt tolerant and can not survive strong coastal winds.
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