Learning to love new tree options

Over 100 years ago, blight struck the American chestnut, the predominant tree in eastern forests. Later, Dutch elm disease claimed trees lining countless streets. Right now, our beloved ash trees are being struck by the emerald ash borer.

Clearly, Americans must learn to love a broader array of tree species. Relying too heavily on a single variety has proved to be costly, whether the measure is economic, emotional, or aesthetic.

The witch hazel is one distinctive tree option for gardeners to consider. A small tree (6 to 25 feet at maturity), the witch hazel may be grown in full sun to part shade though flowering is best in full sun. Moist, well-drained soils are ideal.

Witch hazels are excellent for use in naturalized woodland sites and in living screens. However, they also work nicely as specimen plants or in shrub borders. They are rarely troubled by insect pests or diseases – a heartening characteristic.

Witch hazels offer unusual bloom times and good color in both blooms and foliage. The common witch hazel blooms in late fall while both vernal witch hazel and the intermedia witch hazels flower from early February to late March. The flowers consist of strappy petals which curl up on cold days and unfurl when the temperatures warm.

Flower color in the various witch hazels ranges from yellow through orange, red, and purple. Fall leaf color in common and vernal witch hazels is yellow while the foliage in intermedia witch hazels varies. For example, ‘Jelena' features orange-red fall foliage while ‘Autumn Embers' ranges from yellow and orange to burgundy red.

With all this variation in tree height, bloom time, and colors, it is especially important for gardeners interested in a witch hazel to conduct careful research. One cultivar will differ quite a lot from another, but there is almost certain to be at least one cultivar that meets any gardener's needs.