Hamamelis × intermedia 'Feuerzauber'

RHS Plant Profile
witch hazel 'Feuerzauber'
witch hazel 'Feuerzauber' RHS

Synonyms

Hamamelis 'Magic Fire'
Hamamelis × intermedia 'Magic Fire'
Hamamelis × intermedia 'Fire Charm'
Hamamelis × intermedia 'Firecracker'
Hamamelis × intermedia Fire Cracker
Hamamelis × intermedia Magic Fire

Shrubs

A strong-growing shrub up to 3.5m high, upright then becoming vase-shaped, with ovate-rounded leaves, 12cm long and 8cm wide, which are yellowish green when young, become sage-green, then turn orange and red in autumn, and flowers with a faint but sweet scent, dark purplish-red calyces and slightly twisted and crimped petals over 2cm long which are bright coppery orange suffused with red, from midwinter to late winter

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

2.5-4 metres

Max Spread

2.5-4 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
10–20 years
Max Spread
2.5-4 metres
Max Height
2.5-4 metres

Growing Conditions

Clay Loam Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid or Neutral

Position

Full sun Partial shade
Aspect
North–facing or East–facing or South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness
H5

Colour & Scent

Fragrance Flower
Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Hamamelidaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Spreading branched
Genus
Hamamelis are deciduous shrubs with broadly ovate or rounded leaves, sometimes colouring well in autumn, and fragrant yellow to red flowers with 4 narrow petals, borne on the leafless branches in late winter and early spring, or in autumn
Name Status
Accepted

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in moderately fertile, neutral or preferably slightly acidic soil which is well-drained but humus-rich and moisture-retentive in summer, in full sun or partial shade, in an open position with shelter from cold drying winds, and add mulch to conserve moisture; will also tolerate soils over chalk if they are deep and humus-rich; for more advice, see witch hazel cultivation

Propagation

Propagate by layering in autumn, by grafting in late winter or early spring onto H. virginiana rootstocks, by budding in late summer, or by softwood cuttings in mid-spring in very free-draining compost with bottom heat and humid conditions (under mist or in a closed case) and not potted on until the following year

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Cottage and informal garden
  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Low Maintenance
  • Banks and slopes
  • Flower borders and beds
  • Hedging and screens

Pruning

Pruning group 1

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

May be susceptible to coral spot, honey fungus, phytophthora root rot and powdery mildews