Common Name: witch hazel
Type: Deciduous shrub
Family: Hamamelidaceae
Zone: 5 to 8
Height: 8.00 to 10.00 feet
Spread: 10.00 to 12.00 feet
Bloom Time: January to March
Bloom Description: Yellow petals
Sun: Full sun to part shade
Water: Medium
Maintenance: Low
Suggested Use: Hedge
Flower: Showy, Fragrant
Leaf: Good Fall
Other: Winter Interest
Tolerate: Deer, Erosion, Clay Soil
Noteworthy Characteristics
Hamamelis × intermedia hybrids are crosses between Japanese witch hazel (H. japonica) and Chinese witch hazel (H. mollis). They are somewhat coarse, loosely-branched, medium to large, deciduous shrubs that typically grow 12-20’ tall. They are particularly noted for their spidery, often fragrant, mid- to late winter flowers which appear before the spring foliage emerges.
Genus name comes from the Greek words hama meaning at same time and melon meaning apple or fruit in reference to the occurrence of both fruit and flowers at the same time on this shrub (particularly in the case of fall flowering members of the genus).
The hybrid name intermedia is in reference to the hybrid characteristics being intermediate between the characteristics of the two parent species.
‘Allgold’ has yellow flowers. It matures as an upright-spreading shrub to 8-10’ tall and to 10-12' wide. Showy flowers in axillary clusters bloom along the bare stems from mid- to late winter. Each flower has four, narrow, ribbon-like, curled and slightly crinkled, golden yellow petals (each to 3/4" long). Calyx is reddish-purple. Flowers have a mild but sweet fragrance. Ovate-elliptic dark green leaves (to 4” long) turn yellow in fall.
Problems
Caterpillars and Japanese beetles may chew on the leaves. Watch for gall aphids, scale, leafroller and leafminer. Potential diseases include powdery mildew, occasional leaf spots and rots. Insect and disease issues are typically not serious and rarely warrant chemical control.
Uses
Superior winter-flowering shrub for the landscape. Shrub borders, woodland gardens. Screen or tall hedge. Good specimen.