Family
Hamamelidaceae
Botanical Name
HAMAMELIS vernalis 'Autumn Embers'
Plant Common Name
Ozark Witchhazel, Vernal Witchhazel
General Description
Selected for its showy fall foliage, 'Autumn Embers' is a cultivar of vernal witchhazel (Hamamelis vernalis), a medium to large deciduous shrub from the south-central United States. Like others of its species, it bears spicy-scented flowers in winter or early spring.
The oval, scallop-edged, medium- to dark-green leaves of this upright, rounded shrub are borne alternately along gray-barked branches. The leaves turn shades of orange, bronze, and purple in fall. Small flowers with four narrow, ribbon-like, yellow petals cluster along the naked branches in winter or early spring, opening as early as Christmas in mild winters. The flowers give rise to woody capsules which eject their seeds by opening explosively at the tip. Plants often sucker, producing new stems from beneath the ground that in time can form a small thicket.
This cold-hardy shrub thrives in full to partial sun and moist, well-drained, acidic to neutral soil. It will tolerate drought and sandy or clay soil. Plant one as a garden accent, or several in a naturalistic grouping or informal hedge. The flowers look best if back-lit by the sun.
Characteristics
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AHS Heat Zone
9 - 1
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USDA Hardiness Zone
5 - 9
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Sunset Zone
2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 4, 5, 6, 7, 15, 16, 17
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Plant Type
Shrub
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Sun Exposure
Full Sun, Partial Sun
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Height
6'-10' / 1.8m - 3.0m
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Width
5'-10' / 1.5m - 3.0m
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Bloom Time
Early Spring, Winter, Late Winter
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Native To
South-Central United States
Ornamental Features
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Flower Interest
Showy
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Flower Color
Yellow
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Fruit Color
Brown
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Foliage Color (Spring)
Green
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Foliage Color (Summer)
Green, Dark Green
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Foliage Color (Fall)
Purple, Orange, Burgundy, Bronze, Orange Red
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Bark Color
Gray
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Fragrant Flowers
Yes
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Fragrant Fruit
No
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Fragrant Foliage
No
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Bark or Stem Fragrant
No
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Flower Petal Number
Single
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Repeat Bloomer
No
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Showy Fruit
No
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Edible Fruit
No
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Showy Foliage
Yes
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Foliage Texture
Medium
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Foliage Sheen
Matte
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Evergreen
No
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Showy Bark
No
Special Characteristics
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Bark Texture
Smooth
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Usage
Feature Plant, Foundation, Hedges, Mixed Border, Screening / Wind Break
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Sharp or Has Thorns
No
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Invasive
No
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Self-Sowing
No