10 witch hazels to grow

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Hamamelis x intermedia 'Strawberries and Cream'

Related: What to prune in winter

Witch hazels thrive in sun or partial shade, and they appreciate a slightly acidic soil, although they will cope on neutral soil if it has had plenty of organic matter incorporated and is well drained. They prefer a sheltered spot, protected from strong winds. Some varieties grow quite wide - something to bear in mind if space is an issue. Keep plants moist in summer.

Here are 10 of our favourite witch hazels to grow.

Hamamelis x intermedia 'Strawberries and Cream'

The flowers of Hamamelis x intermedia 'Strawberries and Cream' are a mix of pale yellow and a soft red.

Height x spread: 3.5m x 3.5m

Buy Hamamelis x intermedia 'Strawberries and Cream' from Gardening Express

Hamamelis x intermedia 'Aphrodite'

Hamamelis x intermedia 'Aphrodite' has slightly crimped, orange-red, strongly scented flowers. The leaves intense red before falling in autumn.

Height x spread: 4m x 4m

Buy Hamamelis x intermedia 'Aphrodite' from Gardening Express

Hamamelis x intermedia 'Westerstede'

Hamamelis x intermedia 'Westerstede' has yellow, slightly scented flowers. Its leaves fade to yellow before falling in autumn.

Height x spread: 3.5m x 3.5m

Hamamelis x intermedia 'Diane'

Hamamelis x intermedia 'Diane' has unusual, copper-red flowers with a light scent. The leaves turn a dramatic shade of yellow in winter.

Height x spread: 4m x 4m

Hamamelis x intermedia 'Arnold Promise'

Hamamelis x intermedia 'Arnold Promise' has bright yellow, curling flowers, which appear slightly later than those on other varieties. The leaves turn orange and red in autumn.

Height x spread: 4m x 4m

Hamamelis mollis 'Goldcrest'

Hamamelis mollis 'Goldcrest' is a Chinese witch hazel with large, golden yellow flowers tinged with maroon. They have a strong, sweet scent.

Height x spread: 4.5m x 4.5m

Hamamelis mollis 'Brevipetala'

Hamamelis mollis 'Brevipetala' has strongly scented, deep ochre-yellow crinkled flowers, which become red at the base. The leaves turn bright yellow-orange before falling in autumn.

Height x spread: 3.5m x 3.5m

Hamamelis x intermedia 'Savill Starlight'

Hamamelis x intermedia ‘Savill Starlight’ bears showy, ribbon-like yellow flowers in late winter, and has good autumn colour.

Height x spread: 4.5m x 4.5m

Hamamelis x intermedia 'Barmstedt Gold'

'Barmstedt Gold' has large, golden-yellow flowers; leaves turn shades of orange and yellow in autumn.

Height x spread: 3m x 3.5m

Hamamelis x intermedia 'Pallida'

This popular variety has masses of yellow flowers in late winter and early spring. It offers great autumn colour, too, in shades of yellow, orange and red.

Height x spread: 2.5m x 3m

Looking for other witch hazels? Try Crocus, Thompson & Morgan and Gardening Express

Pruning witch hazels

Remove crossing or diseased branches in early spring, once the flowers have finished, and apply a mulch of well-rotted compost or manure around the base of the plant.

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