Common Witchhazel Profile for Maryland

Common witchhazel (Hamamelis virginiana) is a woodland understory shrub or small tree that University of Maryland Extension places statewide in Maryland. The profile is for the true native species; nursery labels may also refer to hybrid witchhazels, so verify the plant identity before purchase.

Site profile

Field	Source description
Mature size	About 8–20 feet tall.
Light	Part sun to shade; full sun can scorch foliage.
Soil and moisture	Prefers moist soil, tolerates temporary wetness and somewhat drier conditions; the source gives pH below 6.8.
Flowers	Fragrant yellow flowers open in October and November, often partly hidden by foliage.
Woodland form	A woodland-context plant whose shade tolerance should be considered together with available mature space.

UMD reports fall flowering and says foliage can obscure the flowers. Verify the true native species rather than a similarly named nursery hybrid.

Common witchhazel’s ability to tolerate temporary wetness does not establish a fit for long-term flooding. Match the light and seasonal soil conditions, leave room for a large mature shrub, and check that the plant is H. virginiana rather than a hybrid sold under a similar common name.