Hamamelis mollis Jermyns Gold (Chinese Witch Hazel)

Hamamelis mollis ‘Jermyn’s Gold’ (Chinese Witch Hazel) is a large, erect deciduous shrub with pleasantly fragrant, golden yellow flowers in winter and early spring. Each flower consists of 4 golden ribbon-like, slightly curled and crimped, strap-shaped petals, delicately tinted red at their bases.

Hamamelis mollis 'Jermyn's Gold' (Chinese Witch Hazel) is a large, erect deciduous shrub with pleasantly fragrant, golden yellow flowers in winter and early spring. Each flower consists of 4 golden ribbon-like, slightly curled and crimped, 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. Upright when young, becoming more rounded with age, this Chinese Witch Hazel sports rounded green leaves, which emerge light green, mature to sage-green and finally turn yellow in fall.

  • Recipient of the prestigious Award of Garden Merit of the Royal Horticultural Society
  • Grows up to 7-9 ft. tall and wide (210-270 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, and coral spot.
  • 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.

Requirements

Hardiness 5
– 8

Heat Zones 5
– 9

Climate Zones 2B, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 15, 16, 17
Plant Type Shrubs
Plant Family Hamamelis – Witch Hazels
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Early)FallWinter
Height 7'
– 9'
(210cm
– 270cm)
Spread 7'
– 9'
(210cm
– 270cm)
Spacing 84″
– 108″
(210cm
– 270cm)
Water Needs Average
Maintenance Low
Soil Type Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained
Characteristics Fragrant, Plant of Merit, Showy
Tolerance Clay Soil, Deer
Garden Uses Beds and Borders, Hedges and Screens
Garden Styles Informal and Cottage, Traditional Garden