Ozark witch hazel, also known as Winterbloom and Snapping Hazel is not actually a part of the hazelnut family but a Missouri native and distant relative of the sensitive Fothergilla, the exotic Parrotia and the ever tough but headachy Sweetgum tree.
She blooms in late winter and is very close to her sister, the Common Witchazel / Hamamelis virginiana which blooms much earlier, usually very late fall through December.
This fragrant January-February bloomer is a beautiful choice as a wonderful protective habitat for nesting songbirds as well as a transitional placeholder when changing from a manicured landscape to a natural setting.
A showy screen/ hedge choice with a very dense and strong shrubby habit she typically develops a substantial but controllable spread with maturity. Naturally occurring in the wild in gravelly soil or rocky stream beds or at the base of rocky slopes along streams, she makes a beautiful anchor-backdrop for a rain garden.
She is tolerant of all types of soil and light levels. She does seem to produce the most flowers when planted where she has morning sun with a little afternoon shade. Be sure to consider her many attributes when choosing landscape for indoor viewing pleasure. She is a showoff in the fall with her notable clear yellow fall color but displays a serene and quiet dignity in the winter landscape. Her flowering stems also make attractive winter bouquets as well!
Care Factor Rating: 1 Ozark witchhazel must be watered regularly till established. She is a moderately slow grower so to maintain her natural branching habit, minimize any pruning to the removal of only the occasional damaged or dead branch. She does not require pruning when given adequate space!
Flowers develop on the old growth so consider only a gently pruning if any after flowering to modify her shape. This is best done in the early spring after flowering and before any new growth appears. Usually a conservative approach is recommended.
She is rather new to cultivated space use so new placement, applications and pruning management recommendations may develop as she is introduced to a variety of landscape styles and spaces.
Because of her look in a natural setting, it might be tempting to want to encourage a denser branching habit if in her youth if she is a spindly or thinly branched specimen. Use caution, remember she is slow growing and has a natural dense habit when not overcrowded and environmentally challenged. Wait till she is past any transplant shock before removing any growth. At that point she may have filled out naturally and not require any pruning. Also remember flowering is likely to be affected with any pruning management approach. As with any shrub, never remove more than 1/3 of the total growth. Removal of the occasional damaged or dead branch can be done any time of the year. If over time suckers begin to develop at her base / ground level, consider the space allowance and remove only what is necessary to maintain a visual balance for the space. She is very long lived when well placed and can eventually create a stunning colony if given enough time to mature.
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