Hamamelis x intermedia 'RED GRACE'

Witch hazels are unique shrubs that offer profuse flowering at times when everything else in the garden looks dull and far from cheerful.

Red Grace is a German addition to the colourful family of winter blooming witch hazels. This time with interestingly crinkled flowers whose narrow petals are curved back like wood shavings. The colour is a merge of pastel red, a tiny bit of purple pink, and a little more of fiery orange giving the flower a warm tone. They come out very early, already in January if the winter is mild, and continue blooming for about 8 weeks. They are very fragrant, releasing a strong, sweet and spicy perfume on a sunny day.

Another thing makes witch hazels very attractive – autumn foliage colour. The leaves are similar to hazel, rounded but larger and Red Grace, though a red-flowering variety, turns golden yellow and orange in autumn.

Witch hazel is a mid-sized shrub or a small tree of an open vase shape, and thanks to its maximum size of about 3m it is ideal for even a small garden. Robert grows slower into a well-branched, strong, and upright shrub.

Witch hazel hybrids are of garden-origin. They are a cross between Asian species h.japonica and h.mollis. Grow them in acid to neutral, moist but well drained soil. They don’t tolerate lime or hard pruning when older. Sunny location or light semi-shade is best. Fully hardy to about -29°C (USDA zone 5) but exposed sites are not recommended.

Last update 19-01-2020