Witch Hazel Hamamelis × intermedia 'Pallida'
ABOUT
The witch hazel 'Pallida' is a deciduous shrub known for its unique and striking appearance. During the late winter to early spring, it produces abundant clusters of fragrant, bright yellow flowers that are ribbon-like and crinkly, with narrow petals that can resemble thin, spidery extensions. These blossoms stand out on the bare branches, offering a splash of color in dull winter landscapes. The foliage of the 'Pallida' is also quite attractive. In the growing season, the leaves are broad, with a smooth texture and an oval to round shape. They often have wavy or slightly uneven edges and come in a refreshing green color that can turn to lovely shades of yellow and sometimes red or orange in the fall, providing a beautiful autumn display. The structure of this shrub is typically vase-shaped with spreading, arching branches that create an open, airy feel. It has a rugged, informal look that fits well into naturalistic plantings. Its distinctive winter flowers and year-round visual interest make it a popular choice for gardens where its appearance can be fully appreciated.
About this plant
NamesFamily
Hamamelidaceae
Synonyms
Witch Hazel, Winterbloom
Common names
Hamamelis × intermedia 'Pallida'.
ToxicityTo humans
Witch Hazel is generally considered non-toxic to humans. There is no widely recognized or documented toxicity from ingesting this plant in the scientific or medical literature. Therefore, consumption of Witch Hazel is not typically associated with symptoms of poisoning or adverse health consequences in humans.
To pets
Witch Hazel is also generally considered to be non-toxic to pets. It is not known to cause any significant toxicity if pets ingest parts of the plant. As with any non-food plant, ingestion of large amounts could potentially cause mild stomach upset, but no severe symptoms of poisoning are expected.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Deciduous
Color of leaves
Green
Flower color
Yellow
Height
12 feet (3.66 meters)
Spread
12 feet (3.66 meters)
Plant type
Shrub
Hardiness zones
5
Native area
Hybrid
Benefits
General Benefits- Attractive Winter Blooms: Witch Hazel 'Pallida' offers vibrant, fragrant yellow flowers during the late winter when few other plants are in bloom.
- Landscape Interest: Its distinctive ribbon-like petals add textural interest to winter gardens.
- Fall Foliage: The plant provides colorful autumn foliage, with leaves turning attractive shades of yellow to golden-yellow in the fall.
- Wildlife Support: The flowers provide nectar for early foraging bees when few other nectar sources are available.
- Low Maintenance: Once established, Witch Hazel 'Pallida' requires minimal care, making it an easy plant for gardeners to maintain.
- Tolerates Various Conditions: The plant is adaptable to a variety of soil types, though it prefers well-draining, acidic soils.
- Hardiness: Witch Hazel 'Pallida' is hardy in a wide range of climates, handling winter cold quite well.
- Resistant to Pests: This cultivar is generally resistant to many pests and diseases, reducing the need for chemical treatments.
- Architectural Structure: Its spreading form can create an appealing structure in the garden, adding year-round interest.
- Screening and Privacy: With its size and dense growth, it can be used for screening to provide garden privacy.
Medical PropertiesThis plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- Witch hazel can be used as a natural dye for fabrics, providing a range of colors from yellow to orange depending on the mordant used.
- The branches and twigs of witch hazel can be crafted into divining rods, traditionally used for dowsing to locate underground water sources.
- As a garden plant, witch hazel provides winter interest with its vibrant yellow flowers during a season when few other plants are in bloom.
- The wood of witch hazel is very hard and can be used for small wood carving projects or for making durable tool handles.
- Witch hazel's tight grain has made it useful in the past for making bows, as its elasticity and strength are ideal for archery equipment.
- In photography, witch hazel extract can be used in alternative photographic processes, such as platinum or palladium printing.
- The flowers of witch hazel can be used to create a natural, subtle-scented potpourri when dried and combined with other fragrant botanicals.
- Artists can incorporate witch hazel twig patterns and its distinct winter bloom into botanical drawings or as inspiration for jewelry designs.
- With its dense form, witch hazel can also be planted as a privacy screen or a windbreak in residential gardens.
- The seeds of witch hazel have been used by children as noisemakers; they can snap loudly when squeezed due to internal tensions when dried.
Interesting Facts
Feng ShuiThe Witch Hazel is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign CompitabilityThe Witch Hazel is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism- Healing: Hamamelis, commonly known as witch hazel, is often associated with medicinal properties and healing because it has been historically used for its astringent qualities and to soothe various skin conditions.
- Protection: Witch hazel can symbolize protection due to its usage in traditional folk medicine to ward off illness and negativity.
- Adaptability: Witch hazel blooms in winter, a rare trait among plants, symbolizing the ability to thrive and adapt in difficult conditions.
- New Beginnings: With its early bloom at the end of winter, witch hazel represents the onset of spring and new beginnings, a notion tied to its rejuvenating medicinal uses.
- Resilience: Its ability to flower during the cold winter months also makes witch hazel a symbol of resilience and endurance in the face of adversity.
- Unique Attraction: The distinctive, spidery flowers of the witch hazel give it a unique appearance, often symbolizing uniqueness and attracting positive attention in the midst of the ordinary.
WaterWitch Hazel 'Pallida' prefers to be kept evenly moist, especially during its first few growing seasons to establish an extensive root system. Water the plant deeply once a week, providing about 1 to 1.5 gallons of water at each session, but adjust this amount during prolonged periods of drought or rainfall. In winter, you can reduce watering as the plant's water needs decrease. It’s essential not to overwater as this can lead to root rot; ensure the soil is well-draining.
LightWitch Hazel 'Pallida' thrives in full sun to partial shade. An ideal spot would allow it to receive at least 4-6 hours of direct sunlight daily, but it can also perform well in spots with filtered light or morning sun and afternoon shade. Avoid deep shade as it can lead to sparse foliage and fewer flowers.
TemperatureWitch Hazel 'Pallida' is hardy in a broad range of temperatures, typically between 35°F and 75°F, but can survive winter dips down to -10°F and summer peaks up to 90°F. The ideal growing temperature range is between 50°F and 70°F, which promotes healthy growth and flowering.
PruningPrune Witch Hazel 'Pallida' after it flowers in late winter to early spring to maintain its shape and remove any damaged or crossing branches. This timing allows the plant to heal before the growing season. Pruning every year or every other year is generally sufficient. Removing suckers from the base of the plant can also encourage a more tidy habit.
CleaningAs needed
SoilWitch Hazel 'Pallida' thrives in well-drained, loamy soil enriched with organic matter. Its ideal soil pH ranges from slightly acidic to neutral (pH 5.5 to 7). A mix of two parts garden soil, one part peat moss or compost, and one part perlite or sand would provide suitable conditions for healthy growth.
RepottingWitch Hazel 'Pallida' typically does not require frequent repotting and can often remain in the same spot for several years. Depending on its growth rate and size, repotting every 3 to 5 years may be necessary to ensure continued health.
Humidity & MistingWitch Hazel 'Pallida' prefers moderate to high humidity levels, but it is also quite adaptable and can tolerate lower humidity environments if necessary.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Provide bright indirect light and keep the soil moist.
Outdoor
Plant in partial shade, shelter from wind, ensure moist soil.
Hardiness zone
Witch Hazel 'Pallida' is suitable for USDA zones 5-9.
Life cycleThe life of Witch Hazel 'Pallida' begins with the germination of seeds, which typically requires a period of cold stratification to break dormancy. Once the seeds sprout, the seedlings grow into juvenile plants, establishing a strong root system and developing foliage. As it matures into an adult, 'Pallida' starts to exhibit its characteristic bright yellow flowers during the late winter to early spring before the foliage emerges. During its flowering stage, which occurs between January and March, pollination occurs, often with the help of wind or insects. Following pollination, it produces seed capsules that mature in the fall, releasing seeds to begin the next generation. Throughout its life span, which can be several decades, the Witch Hazel 'Pallida' undergoes periods of vegetative growth and dormancy, with the plant losing its leaves in fall and entering a dormant period during the colder winter months.
PropogationPropogation time
Late winter
The most popular method of propagation for the Witch Hazel 'Pallida' is via softwood cuttings. This process usually takes place in late spring or early summer when new growth is still flexible and not yet woody. To propagate, take cuttings that are about 4 to 6 inches (approximately 10 to 15 centimeters) long from a healthy branch, being sure to include at least a couple of leaves. The cut end of each cutting is then dipped in rooting hormone to encourage root development and planted in a pot with a mix of peat and perlite or a sterile potting mix. The pot must be kept consistently moist and in a warm, bright area without direct sunlight until roots develop, after which the new Witch Hazel 'Pallida' can be transplanted to a more permanent location.
