Hamamelis x intermedia Aurora (Witch Hazel)

Boasting the largest flowers of all Witch Hazels, Hamamelis x intermedia 'Aurora' is a vigorous, deciduous shrub with very fragrant, bright yellow flowers from midwinter to late winter. Rich with a sweet and strong scent, each flower consists of 4 ribbon-like, crinkled, strap-shaped petals delicately tinted bronze-red at their base. 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 vase-shaped with age, this Witch Hazel sports broadly oval sage-green leaves, which turn attractive shades of orange-yellow and red in fall.

• Recipient of the prestigious Award of Garden Merit of the Royal Horticultural Society
• Grows up to 10-12 ft. tall and wide (300-360 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. Consistent moisture is best.
• Mass in mixed shrub borders for dramatic winter blooms. Great flowering shrub for cottage gardens, woodland gardens, or as a screen and hedge. Perfect as a specimen plant.
• Low maintenance, this plant is deer resistant. Keep an eye out for coral spot and honey fungus.
• 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; grafting in late winter and chip budding can be carried out in late summer.
• Hamamelis x intermedia is a hybrid of garden origin between Hamamelis japonica and Hamamelis mollis.