What Is Hamamelis Mollis?
The family of hamamelidaceae, under the order of saxifragales, contains 27 genera, including the genus Hamamelis. Experts divide this genus into five species, which people often refer to as witch hazel plants. Most gardeners refer to the plant Hamamelis mollis as the Chinese witch hazel, which, as the common name implies, is native to parts of China. This semi-hardy, deciduous plant may grow as an upright shrub that is approximately 10 to 15 feet (about three to four and a half m) tall, and sometimes it is a tree growing up to heights of 25 feet (about seven and a half m). Generally, it bears clusters of fragrant, yellow flowers that open in wintertime or early spring. The Hamamelis mollis usually has ascending branches with large oval medium to dark green foliage that has a soft hairy or downy covering and a grayish underside. The three- to six-inch (about seven- to 15-cm) leaves generally turn yellow and/or orange in autumn. Most growers raise the plant for its distinctive winter blo
