Hamamelis mollis Early Bright (Chinese Witch Hazel)

Earliest to bloom, Hamamelis mollis 'Early Bright' (Chinese Witch Hazel) is a medium to large, upright deciduous, often vase-shaped, shrub or small tree with pleasantly fragrant, golden yellow flowers in early to mid-winter. Each flower consists of 4 golden ribbon-like, crinkled, strap-shaped petals, delicately tinted red at their bases. Clustered along the leafless branches, the flowers unfurl their spidery petals on mild days. But on cold days, they curl up again and nearly close up to prevent damage from freezing temperatures. This Chinese Witch Hazel sports broadly oval green leaves, downy underneath, which turn attractive golden shades in the fall.

• Grows up to 10-15 ft. tall and wide (300-450 cm)
• A full sun to part shade lover, this plant is best grown in average, medium moisture, well-drained soils. Prefers organically rich, moist, acidic soils. Best flowering in full sun.
• Mass in mixed shrub borders for dramatic winter blooms. Great flowering shrub for woodland gardens or as a screen and hedge. Perfect as a specimen plant.
• Low maintenance, this plant is deer resistant and generally pest free. Keep an eye out for honey fungus, coral spot, and phytophthora root rot.
• Promptly remove any suckers to prevent spread.
• No regular pruning is required. Simply remove any dead, damaged, or weak shoots. Prune in spring after flowering if you need to control shape and size.
• Propagate by simple layering of suitable shoots in spring, by grafting in late winter or by chip budding in late summer.
• Hamamelis mollis is native to forests and thickets in southeastern and southwestern China.