Chinese witchhazel is a deciduous, flowering shrub native to western China in the Hamamelidaceae family. The genus name comes from the Greek hama for "at the same time" and melon meaning apple in reference to the occurrence of both fruit and flowers at the same time on this shrub. The species name means soft with soft hairs. It can be grown as a large shrub or small tree reaching 10 to 15 feet tall and wide and should be pruned in spring after flowering to control the size and shape. When pruning, keep in mind that flowers will appear on old growth. Chinese witchhazel prefers moist, acidic, well-drained soil, full sun to partial shade, and tolerates clay soils as long as the drainage is good. However, it does best with consistent moisture and may suffer from leaf scorch in hot, dry summers. It spreads by root suckers, which should be pruned to restrain colonization. The fragrant, yellow flowers appear in clusters from January to March, and the leaves turn yellow in the fall. There are several cultivars available. Use this shrub in woodland and winter gardens, as a hedge, specimen or in the back of the border. Quick ID Hints : Flowers in axillary clusters, 4 ligulate petals Deciduous shrub to small tree with zig-zag twigs Leaf buds and young twigs tomentose Native form flowers in late fall to early winter. Other species flower in late winter. Leaves turn yellow in fall. Diseases, Insect Pests, and Other Plant Problems: No significant problems. Caterpillars and beetles may chew on the leaves. Watch for gall aphids, scale, leafroller and leafminer. Potential diseases include powdery mildew, occasional leaf spots and rots
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day) | Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil texture
High Organic Matter
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Moist | Occasionally Wet
NC region
Coastal; Mountains; Piedmont
Mature size
Height: 10 ft. 0 in. - 15 ft. 6 in. | Width: 10 ft. 0 in. - 15 ft. 0 in.
Growth rate
Slow
Maintenance
Low
Canopy layer
2 - Understory (15-40 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Erect; Oval; Rounded; Spreading
Texture
Medium
Foliage
Deciduous
Leaf color
Green; Orange
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf arrangement
Alternate
Leaf shape
Obovate; Ovate
Leaf margin
Lobed; Serrate
Leaf value
Showy
Leaf size
3-6 inches long, 1-3 inches wide
Hairs present
Yes
Leaf detail
Alternate, ovate to obovate, toothed or shallowly lobed, base oblique and undersides are densely hairy. Leaf buds are pubescent. Leaves are 2 to 6 inches long and 2 to 4 inches wide.
Fall color
Gold/Yellow; Orange
Flower color
Brown/Copper; Gold/Yellow
Flower value
Fragrant; Showy
Flower form
Cyme
Flower shape
Cup
Flower detail
Yellow flowers with red-brown calyx cups in late winter to early spring are fragrant with strap-shaped petals. Inflorescence is a cyme in leaf axils.
Bloom time
Spring; Winter
Fruit color
Black
Fruit type
Capsule
Fruit value
Edible
Fruit size
< 1 inch long, < 1 inch wide
Fruit detail
A two-valved dihiscent woody capsule.
Stem detail
Young stems zig-zag, pubescent; older glabrous, smooth.
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Non-native
Origin
Western and west-central China
Wildlife value
Fruit serves as food source for small mammals and birds.