shrub RHS Award

Witch Hazel

Hamamelis intermedia 'Arnold'

Not currently listed at our partner nurseries.

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Essentials

At a Glance

Plant Type

Shrub

Height

180 inches

Width

180 inches

Light

Full Sun, Partial Sun

Zones

5, 6, 7, 8

Water

Medium

Humidity

Average

Lifespan

Over 50 years

Native To

Hybrid origin (H. japonica x H. mollis)

Toxicity

Non-toxic

The Story

Plant Bio

Hamamelis x intermedia is a hybrid group of deciduous shrubs or small trees known for their fragrant, spidery flowers that bloom in late winter. They also feature excellent yellow, orange, or red fall color. 'Arnold Promise' is a classic, award-winning cultivar celebrated for its profuse, fragrant, bright yellow flowers that appear later than many other varieties, often in February or March. It has a strong, vase-shaped habit and reliable yellow-orange fall color.

Bloom Period:

EarlyLate

Uses & Benefits:

'Arnold Promise' is a premier shrub for winter interest, bursting into bloom when the landscape is otherwise dormant. Its fragrant yellow flowers provide a cheerful display against snow or gray skies, followed by attractive green summer foliage and brilliant fall color.

Branches can be cut in late winter and forced into bloom indoors, bringing color and fragrance into the home. Its large size and dense summer foliage can provide seasonal screening.

The late-winter flowers are a vital early nectar source for any brave pollinators, like certain moths and flies, that are active on mild winter days. It is generally not bothered by deer or rabbits.

Marketplace

Where to Buy

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Planting

How to Grow

Select a site with full sun to part shade and acidic, well-drained soil.
Dig a hole two to three times wider than the root ball.
Amend heavy clay or poor soil with compost or pine bark fines.
Set the plant so the top of the root ball is level with the soil surface.
Backfill the hole, gently firming the soil around the roots.
Water deeply after planting and mulch to conserve moisture.

Pro Tip

Plant where you can enjoy its winter fragrance, such as near an entrance or window, and give it ample space to achieve its natural vase shape.

Keep It Thriving

Care Guide

Do

Provide consistent moisture, especially during dry summer months.
Mulch with acidic materials like pine straw or shredded bark.
Allow the plant to develop its natural, graceful form with minimal pruning.
Remove any suckers that emerge from the rootstock below the graft union.

Don't

Do not plant in heavy, wet clay or alkaline soils.
Avoid letting the soil dry out completely, which can cause leaf scorch.
Don't prune heavily or try to shape it into a formal hedge.
Avoid damaging the thin bark with lawn mowers or string trimmers.

Seasonal Care Calendar

Task	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Fertilize
Mulch
Prune

Watch Out For

Pests & Diseases

Common Pests

Common Diseases

In the Garden

Landscape Uses & Companions

Landscape Uses

Stunning late winter specimen plantFragrant accent near a walkway or patioAnchor of a mixed shrub border

Companion Plants

Helleborus orientalis Galanthus nivalis Cornus sericea 'Arctic Fire' Carex 'Evergold' Heuchera 'Palace Purple'

Multiply

Propagation Methods

Good to Know

Common Questions

Witch Hazel questions

What zones can Witch Hazel grow in?

Witch Hazel is hardy in USDA Zones 5–8. Inside that range it survives winter in the ground; outside it, grow it as an annual or a container plant you protect.

Is Witch Hazel deer resistant?

Yes — Witch Hazel is rated deer-resistant. Deer typically pass it over, though extreme hunger can override any plant's defenses.

When does Witch Hazel bloom?

Witch Hazel typically blooms in late winter through early spring. Exact timing shifts a week or two with your zone — Sow's bloom calendar maps it to your garden.

Does Witch Hazel need full sun?

Witch Hazel does best in full sun to part shade. In hot climates, afternoon shade keeps blooms fresher longer.