Chinese witch hazel Hamamelis mollis
Chinese witch hazel (Hamamelis mollis) is a deciduous perennial shrub in the Hamamelidaceae family, native to Central and eastern China. It grows 3–5 m (10–16 ft) tall and 3–5 m (10–16 ft) wide, wants part sun to part shade and moderate water, and is hardy to about -26 °C (-15 °F). Space plants about 3 m (10 ft) apart.
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Chinese witch hazel at a glance
| Type | Perennial shrub, deciduous |
|---|---|
| Family | Hamamelidaceae |
| Mature height | 3–5 m (10–16 ft) |
| Mature spread | 3–5 m (10–16 ft) |
| Spacing | 3 m (10 ft) centre to centre |
| Sun | Part sun to part shade, at least 4 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Moderate; drought tolerance low, waterlogging tolerance none |
| Soil pH | 5–6.5 |
| Cold hardiness | About -26 °C (-15 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 5) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 32 °C (90 °F) |
| Flowering | from about January for 4–7 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | Low |
| Pollinator value | Moderate |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Native to | Central and eastern China |
| Common in gardens of | 🇨🇳 China, 🇬🇧 United Kingdom, 🇺🇸 United States, 🇩🇪 Germany, 🇳🇱 Netherlands, 🇫🇷 France, 🇳🇿 New Zealand |
Is Chinese witch hazel toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: not known to be toxic
- Dogs: not known to be toxic
No toxicity reported in ASPCA or standard poison references.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Chinese witch hazel
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like part sun to part shade and moderate water.
Questions about Chinese witch hazel
- How far apart should I plant Chinese witch hazel?
- About 3 m (10 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 3–5 m (10–16 ft).
- Does Chinese witch hazel need full sun?
- Part sun to part shade: at least 4 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Chinese witch hazel need?
- Moderate water. Drought tolerance is low and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is Chinese witch hazel?
- It tolerates about -26 °C (-15 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 5.
- When does Chinese witch hazel flower?
- From about January for 4–7 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Chinese witch hazel poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is not known to be toxic; for dogs not known to be toxic; for people not known to be toxic. No toxicity reported in ASPCA or standard poison references.
- What grows well with Chinese witch hazel?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Chinese witch hazel. Group it with plants that like the same sun (part sun to part shade) and water (moderate).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade B (B: extension service or peer-reviewed).
- RHS Plant Finder, Royal Horticultural Society
- Flora of China (eFloras), Missouri Botanical Garden & Harvard University Herbaria
- Missouri Botanical Garden Plant Finder, Missouri Botanical Garden
Notes and assumptions
- Spidery, ribbon-petalled yellow flowers with a sweet scent on bare branches in midwinter; a parent of the many H. × intermedia cultivars. Felted leaves turn yellow in autumn.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
- Chinese fringe flower Loropetalum chinense
- Hybrid witch hazel Hamamelis x intermedia
- Persian ironwood Parrotia persica
- Buttercup winter hazel (hyūgamizuki) Corylopsis pauciflora
- American witch hazel (common witch hazel) Hamamelis virginiana
- Bigleaf hydrangea Hydrangea macrophylla
- Rhododendron Rhododendron
- Boxwood Buxus sempervirens