Bright lime-green leaves with serrated edges on a shrub, close-up view showing dense foliage

Close-up of bright green serrated leaves on a shrub branch, illuminated by sunlight.

Lime-green ornamental shrub in a black plastic pot at a plant nursery, with several similar potted shrubs and gravel ground visible.

Dense hedge of bright green, serrated lobed leaves against a blue sky.

Vernal Witch Hazel

Early seasonal color: Flowers bloom in late winter when few other plants are active
Fragrant blooms: Adds a light, pleasant scent to the cold-season garden
Native adaptability: Well-suited to a wide range of natural and landscaped settings
Low maintenance: Easy to care for once established
Multi-season interest: Offers spring blooms and attractive yellow fall foliage

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#5 Container

$73.00

5 in stock

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$98.00

3 in stock

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We guarantee that your plants and trees will arrive happy and healthy. If you’re not satisfied after receiving your trees and plants, we’ll replace them at no cost to you. Trees and plants are living organisms and require care, maintenance, and protection to survive, root in, and establish properly. Trees that do not survive despite receiving the proper care, maintenance, and protection within the first year will be considered for a one-time replacement. If you purchased plants outside of your growing zone recommendation, or have not properly cared for your new plants as described in your welcome letter, your purchase won’t be covered by our Grasshopper guarantee.
The Grasshopper Guarantee

We guarantee that your plants and trees will arrive happy and healthy. If you’re not satisfied after receiving your trees and plants, we’ll replace them at no cost to you. Trees and plants are living organisms and require care, maintenance, and protection to survive, root in, and establish properly. Trees that do not survive despite receiving the proper care, maintenance, and protection within the first year will be considered for a one-time replacement. If you purchased plants outside of your growing zone recommendation, or have not properly cared for your new plants as described in your welcome letter, your purchase won’t be covered by our Grasshopper guarantee.
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Vernal Witch Hazel

Sunlight
Can grow in a range from full sun to partial shade. They need at least six hours of direct, unfiltered sunlight per day.
Watering
Regular watering schedule for the first six months. Once established, rainwater should be sufficient.
Fertilizing
Should not need any extra fertilizer unless your entire lawn and garden have problems and needs regular fertilizing.

Vernal Witch Hazel

Vernal Witch Hazel is a hardy deciduous shrub valued for its fragrant winter blooms, attractive branching structure, and excellent fall color. Among the earliest flowering shrubs in the landscape, it provides bright seasonal interest when most gardens remain dormant and continues to offer beauty throughout the year.

Why choose Vernal Witch Hazel?

Vernal Witch Hazel is prized for extending the gardening season with flowers that often appear in late winter before spring arrives. Its delicate ribbon-like blooms range from yellow to orange-red depending on the selection, filling the landscape with color and a pleasant fragrance during a quiet time of year. During summer, the attractive green foliage creates a handsome backdrop before transforming into vibrant shades of gold and orange in fall. Winter blooms, multi-season interest, and a naturally graceful habit make it an exceptional choice for specimen plantings and foundation landscapes.

Key Characteristics

Botanical Name: Hamamelis vernalis
Common Name: Vernal Witch Hazel
Plant Type: Deciduous flowering shrub
Growth Habit: Rounded, vase-shaped, multi-stemmed

Vernal Witch Hazel Additional Information

Vernal Witch Hazel is native to portions of the central United States and is celebrated for its ability to flower during late winter to early spring, often before leaves emerge. The narrow, ribbon-like flowers are lightly fragrant and may appear for several weeks, creating one of the earliest floral displays in the landscape. Bloom color varies among seedlings and selections, often ranging from yellow to coppery orange or reddish tones.

Following bloom, rich green foliage develops and remains attractive through the growing season. In autumn, the leaves turn shades of golden yellow, orange, and bronze, adding another season of ornamental value. As a deciduous shrub, Vernal Witch Hazel sheds its leaves in fall, revealing a pleasing branch structure that contributes winter interest. Its adaptable nature makes it well suited for woodland borders, native plantings, mixed shrub beds, and specimen use. The flowers also provide an early nectar source for emerging pollinators, contributing to its ecological value in the landscape.

Planting & Care

1. Planting: Plant in full sun to partial shade in well-drained soil enriched with organic matter. Allow space for its mature rounded form and water thoroughly after planting.

2. Watering: Water regularly during establishment to encourage a strong root system. Mature plants benefit from supplemental watering during prolonged dry periods.

3. Mulching: Apply organic mulch around the root zone to help retain moisture, improve soil structure, and moderate soil temperatures throughout the year.

4. Pruning: Prune lightly after flowering if shaping is required. Remove damaged or crowded branches while preserving the shrub’s natural growth habit.

Related Resources

FAQs

How large does Vernal Witch Hazel grow?
Mature plants typically reach 6 to 10 feet tall and wide, developing a rounded to vase-shaped form over time.
When does Vernal Witch Hazel bloom?
Vernal Witch Hazel usually flowers from late winter into early spring, often becoming one of the first flowering shrubs in the landscape.
Does Vernal Witch Hazel prefer full sun?
It performs well in full sun to partial shade, with stronger flowering and fall color generally developing in brighter locations.

Shipping Details

Estimated Shipping Time: Most orders ship immediately. As noted on the website, some items are seasonal, and may only ship in spring or fall. Once your order is shipped, you’ll receive an email with a tracking number.

Amount of Order	Shipping Charge
Local Delivery	FREE SHIPPING
Non-Local Delivery	Varies based on UPS shipping

Thrives
Full Sun
Seasonal

Mature Height	Small: Up to 15 ft
Mature Spread	10-20 ft
Growth Rate	Moderate, Slow
Botanical Name	Hamamelis vernalis
Bloom Time	Early Spring
Deer Resistant	Usually
Family	Hamamelidaceae
Flower Color	Yellow/Orange
Hardiness Zones	5, 6, 7, 8
Maintenance	Low
Light Needs	Full Sun, Partial Sun
Size	#5 Container, #7 Container

Map of the United States with all states outlined and filled in dark greenli

Growing Zones 4-8 Outdoors

(Hardy down to -30)

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Mature Spread	5-10 ft	5-10 ft	5-10 ft	0-5 ft	5-10 ft	5-10 ft
Growth Rate	Fast	Fast	Moderate, Slow	Moderate	Fast	Fast, Moderate
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Family	Rosaceae	Rosaceae	Adoxaceae	Adoxaceae	Rosaceae	Rosaceae
Flower Color	Yellow/Orange	White	White	White	White	White
Hardiness Zones	4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9	3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8	4, 5, 6, 7, 8	3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8	4, 5, 6, 7, 8	3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8
Light Needs	Full Sun	Full Sun	Full Sun, Partial Sun	Full Sun, Partial Sun	Full Sun	Full Sun
Maintenance	Low	Low	Low	Low	Low	Low