In winter, witch hazel is a beautiful sight to behold. Depending on the variety of witch hazel, the shrub may range anywhere from 3 feet to 15 feet tall and 5-20 feet wide. In the colder winter months, its leaves will have turned to a beautiful golden/bronze color and can be mistaken for a deciduous shrub as its bright bloomed branches have dropped off for the season.
The aromatic scent of witch hazel may still linger in the air and can add a wonderful wintery fragrancing the area. Witch hazel’s bark is reddish-brown in winter, smooth to the touch and can sometimes be covered with wart-like bumps and small pores.
Branching throughout the its wintery life, its twigs remain an orange/brown color throughout its dormant season and help give the plant its stunning winter look.
Is witch hazel the same as winter sweet?
No, witch hazel and winter sweet are not the same. Witch hazel is a shrub or small tree native to the northern hemisphere, with its most notable species growing in North America and Asia. Its scientific name is Hamamelis Virginiana and it is most commonly known for its fragrant yellow flowers that bloom in late autumn and its astringent properties.
Witch hazel is used topically as an antiseptic, soothing agent and to reduce itching, inflammation and skin irritation.
On the other hand, winter sweet (Chimonanthus Praecox) is a deciduous shrub native to parts of China and Japan. This shrub is grown primarily for its winter flowers, which are waxy and intensely fragrant.
Unlike witch hazel, Winter sweet is not used for medicinal purposes and is primarily used for landscaping and ornamental purposes.
When should you not use witch hazel?
It is generally safe to use witch hazel topically on the skin and as a mouth rinse, however, it should not be used by individuals who have allergies to plants in the Hamamelidaceae family, such as pasque flower, ginger sparkleberry, sweet gum, and tulip tree.
In these cases, contact your healthcare provider for guidance.
Witch hazel should also not be used in people with a weakened immune system. It may cause side effects and interact with certain medications, including blood-thinning medications, blood pressure medications, diabetes medications, cancer medications, birth control, and hormone replacement or acne medications.
In addition, children under the age of 2, pregnant and/or nursing women, and people with bleeding disorders should avoid using witch hazel, as should anyone experiencing prolonged symptoms or a medical condition that is causing discomfort.
Always consult your doctor before using witch hazel.
Can I cut back a witch hazel?
Yes, you can certainly cut back a witch hazel. Pruning is necessary in order to maintain a healthy, attractive shrub. It is best to perform pruning when the shrub is dormant in late winter or early spring.
When pruning, remove dead, diseased, and damaged branches as well as any crossed or inward-growing branches. Aim to maintain the natural shape of the shrub and thin out excess growth. Additionally, outer branches of older witch hazels may be cut to the ground to create more openness and exposure to the sun.
Make sure you use the proper pruning techniques, such as making clean cuts slightly above any buds and avoiding harsh shearing.
Are witch hazels Evergreen?
No, witch hazel (Hamamelis spp. ) shrubs are deciduous and lose their leaves in autumn. The shrubs are native to North America, where they are found growing in moist forests and woodlands. They can reach a height of 10-15 feet, with a similar spread.
The leaves are oblong, oval-shaped and length 2-3 inches long. They are light green during the growing season, turning a yellow-orange in autumn before dropping. The shrubs flower prolifically in the late winter or early spring, with fragrant, yellow-to-red-colored blossoms.
They are a popular garden shrubs, particularly as barriers or hedges, due to their colorful autumn leaves and fragrant flowers.
Is hazel evergreen or deciduous?
Hazel trees are deciduous, meaning they are not evergreen. They are classified as multi-stemmed or cloned shrubs and they can reach up to 25 meters in height and spread up to 5 meters in width. The bark is smooth, greyish brown and branches have a reddish brown hue.
The leaves alternate along the branches and usually grow between 5 to 8 cm in length and have a serrated margin. The flowers are yellow and emerge in mid-spring, followed by the edible nuts, which ripen by late autumn.
In the northern hemisphere, hazel trees are regarded as harbingers of spring, and their leaves often start to regrow before other deciduous trees in early spring.
Is witch hazel an annual or perennial?
Witch hazel is classified as a deciduous shrub or small tree, and is therefore a perennial plant. It typically grows between 6-30 feet tall and can grow up to 40 feet in ideal conditions. The leaves are ovate to obovate in shape, with toothed margins and green to yellow-green upper surfaces, while the undersides of the leaves are usually downy.
The yellow flowers are produced in the fall, while the fragrant fruits ripen in winter, in the form of brown four-parted capsules. Witch hazel is native to North America, but has been widely planted in Europe, and it is also found in some regions of Asia.
Are hazel and witch hazel the same?
No, hazel and witch hazel are not the same. Hazel is a type of deciduous tree that is native to Europe, North Africa, and parts of Asia. The nuts of this tree can be eaten and are sometimes processed to make a type of oil.
Witch hazel, on the other hand, is a flowering shrub (or bush) that is native in North America. The twigs and bark of this shrub contain a substance that serves various medicinal purposes, either as a topical application or as an ingredient in herbal remedies.
Witch hazel is used in many products, including medicated creams and lotions, cosmetics, and even over-the-counter drugs.
What is the real name for witch hazel?
The real name for witch hazel is Hamamelis virginiana. Witch hazel is an herbal shrub native to North America and east Asia, and is also known by other common names such as winterbloom, spotted alder, or snapping tobacco wood.
Witch hazel is both a deciduous shrub and a flowering plant, with yellow blooms appearing in the late autumn months and purplish-brown fruits in the late summer. The leaves and bark of the witch hazel shrub have been used for centuries in traditional medicine for its astringent, anti-inflammatory, and antiseptic properties.
Today, witch hazel is still widely used in skincare and dermatology for its benefits in calming redness, controlling oil production, and providing antibacterial protection.
Is there two types of witch hazel?
Yes, there are two types of witch hazel. The first type is the common witch hazel (Hamamelis virginiana), which is native to North America and has yellow flowers that bloom between October and December.
The other type is the Japanese witch hazel (Hamamelis japonica), which is native to Japan, China, and Korea and has fragrant red or white flowers that bloom in winter. Both varieties of witch hazel have similar medicinal qualities and uses, including skin healing, treating inflammation, relieving itching and stinging, and soothing the skin.
It is also used as an astringent and is widely used as a natural skin cleanser. In addition, the bark, leaves, and twigs of both varieties have been used for centuries as herbal remedies for a number of ailments.
What does winter sweet smell like?
Winter sweet has a unique scent that is both sweet and spicy. The most common way to describe it is as having a pleasant floral aroma combined with a hint of nutmeg. The overall impact is a warm, woody scent that is subtly spicy.
During the winter months, it can take on a rich, spicy scent with hints of pine and cinnamon. It can add a wintery feel to any room it’s in, as it has a full-bodied aroma when fresh. Despite its spicy and woody aroma, winter sweet has a delicate balance that can be enjoyed by many.
What is witch hazel and why is it called that?
Witch hazel is a plant native to North America that produces a liquid extract distilled from its bark and leaves. The extract has astringent, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties. Witch hazel is called that because of its traditional use by Native Americans in the form of a topical tea for healing bruises, cuts, and burns, a practice that was recorded by European settlers.
It is believed to be derived from the Old English word “wych” which refers to “pliable”. This is likely in reference to the plant’s traditional use for making a poultice to treat aches and pains. The name may also have come from the shape of the shrub, which leaves tend to bend and twist in an enchanting manner.
Witch hazel is still used in herbal medicine today for its skin rich benefits, and is found in many skincare products.
What are some winter smells?
Winter can have many different smells associated with it. Some of the most common winter smells include the smell of pine needles and evergreen trees, the smell of a toasty fire burning in a fireplace, the smell of fresh snowflakes, the smell of a cup of hot cocoa, the smell of peppermint, and the smell of roasted chestnuts.
Many people also associate winter with the smell of warm baking, such as a freshly-baked pie or cookies. Additionally, the smell of warm wool and rising bread can often be associated with winter. Whatever it may be, the smells of winter are sure to evoke a sense of nostalgia and coziness in many.