Jesse Saylor
Family
Hamamelidaceae
Botanical Name
Hamamelis 'Brevipetala'
Plant Common Name
Special Notice
This entry has yet to be reviewed and approved by L2G editors.
General Description
Yellow fall foliage followed by a golden flower display in early to midwinter are key ornamental features of the hybrid known as 'Brevipetala'. First upright in form and then when older a rounded larger shrub or miniaturized tree, this selection of witchhazel originated at the Chenault Nursery in Orleans, France in 1935. Its parents are the vernal and Chinese witchhazels.
The leaves emerge with a yellowish green hue in spring and mature to medium green. Orb-like in shape, the undersides are slightly grayed. Upon this shrub's bare branches in early to midwinter are tufts of straight, slightly crinkled yellow-orange/gold petals like look like tiny, short ribbons. The petal cup base (calyx) has touches of rusty red-purple. The intense spicy fragrance is magnificent, cutting into the bitter chill of winter.
Brevipetala witchhazel is best grown in a soil with good drainage. It can adapt to acidic, and mildly alkaline soils that are moist and deep, with ample organic compositions. Plant one to soften the corner of a house, to bring late winter excitement to any garden border, or plant in a small grove near a public patio or walkway so the fragrance will be obvious and create smiles.
Characteristics
-
AHS Heat Zone
9 - 4
-
USDA Hardiness Zone
5 - 8
-
Sunset Zone
2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 4, 5, 6, 7, 15, 16, 17
-
Plant Type
Shrub
-
Sun Exposure
Full Sun, Partial Sun
-
Height
8'-12' / 2.4m - 3.7m
-
Width
10'-12' / 3.0m - 3.7m
-
Bloom Time
Early Winter, Winter
-
Native To
Hybrid Origin
Growing Conditions
-
Soil Drainage
Well Drained
-
Growth Rate
Slow
-
Water Requirements
Average Water
-
Habit
Oval/Rounded
-
Seasonal Interest
Fall, Winter
