Hamamelis x intermedia Flower (21/01/2012, Kew London)
Position: Full sun to dappled shade
Flowering Period: Winter
Soil: Moist, well-drained
Eventual Height: 5m
Eventual Spread: 3m
Hardiness: 5b – 9a
Family: Hamamelidaceae
Hamamelis x intermedia is a spreading small tree or large shrub. The light green alternate leaves emerge from short-stalked buds. The leaves are elliptic to nearly circular in shape, irregularly toothed along their edges and become a coppery orange in autumn. The branches of this tree form a ‘V’ shape. The fragrant flowers are bourne in clusters of two to four. The individual yellow petals are strap like, slightly wavy and 25mm long, with the centres of the flowers being red. The fruits are small, hairy, brown, oval capsules. It is grafted onto the rootstock of one of the other species of Hamamelis.
Hamamelis x intermedia is commonly known as the Hybrid Witchhazel. It is a hybrid between Hamamelis mollis and Hamamelis japonica. The leaves and bark of the shrub contain an astringent which reduces inflammation of blood vessels. The plant extract also called Witch hazel is thus used in many lotions for treating bruises and insect bites. Subjective research has been carried out on the reletive fragrance and leaf retention of various Hamamelis species and varieties by the curators of Scott Arboretum, interesting reading.
The etymological root of the binomial name Hamamelis is derived from the Greek amamelis ‘a tree with pear like fruits’. Intermedia is derived from the Latin inter ‘between’ and medius ‘middle’ in reference to this hybrid being between its two parents in terms of characteristics.
Hamamelis x intermedia (21/01/2012, Kew London)
The landscape architect may find Hamamelis x intermedia is useful in dappled shade locations as a small fragrant tree with fragrant winter flowers and fantastic autumn leaf color.
Ecologically, H. x intermedia attracts members of the Lepidoptera which includes butterflies and moths.
H. x intermedia prefers moist, fertile, well-drained soils. It tolerates most pH of soil, although it prefers neutral to acidic soils.
H. x intermedia requires little maintenance.
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