As part of our Cycles of Gaia ecological calendar project, we’ve been sharing an insight each month on one of the member species of the calendar, or some other ecological element of the Northeast Coastal Zone (southern New England) drawn out by the calendar. This month, while many plants prepare for hibernation, we explore one of the few plants that flowers this time of year.
A versatile shrub, witch hazel—Hamamelis virginiana—likes to grow in both sun and shade, and can tolerate drought and flood conditions. Its spindly flowers contrast with fall leaves, and hosts 68 different butterfly and moth species. Of New England’s woody plants to flower each fall, Hamamelis virginiana is one of the last. There are a few varieties of witch hazel in New England. Vernal witch hazel (H. vernalis) is native to America’s southern regions. Asian cultivars of witch hazel are also common in the New England area. Warm temperatures cause witch hazel to unfurl, while they like to curl up on cold days. Blooming for weeks at a time, witch hazel flowers can be yellow, red, or orange, and make for lovely fall-extending plants as the leaves fall off the trees. Witch hazel is particularly fragrant, possessing an earthy, botanical aroma. It has gained popularity over the last few years, as it is relatively low-maintenance and easy to incorporate into landscaping, adding a “splash of color.”
Hamamelis virginiana can grow between 12-15 feet tall, and spans Maine to southern Florida in the north-south direction, all the way to Texas in the east-west direction. It is deciduous, and grows best when facing north. Perhaps this is due to its preference for partial-shade (it naturally occurs as an understory plant). Its resilience to pests and disease make it easy to tend to, and it is best to prune it before summer so that it can grow back in the fall.
You probably know about witch hazel from its use in medicine and skin care. Native Americans use witch hazel for numerous reasons, as it is a great remedy for skin issues, treating dysentery and colds if consumed in tea, and consuming its seeds as food. It also helps with skin swelling and can be used as an antiseptic. Most of its commercial products—skin toner and astringent—derive from first distilling the plant with alcohol. It is also one of the few plants that the FDA has approved as an over-the-counter medicine ingredient.
Reminiscent of… well… witches, the naming of witch hazel in fact does not have to do with the folklore of magical women (however, some modern witches believe it has the power to “guard against evil and cure […] broken hearts”). The term comes from the old English “wice”/”wiche,” meaning pliant or bendable. Similar to how the hazel bush (Corylus) was used in England, witch hazel branches were used by early English settlers to divine or dowse for underground water. A forked or bent branch of the plant was used as a divining rod, aka a “witching stick”. If the branch dipped or twisted, this was believed to indicate the presence of a water spring. A widespread method in North America, eventually, the practice was exported to Europe as well.
Witch hazel is not only a resilient and versatile plant but also one with a rich history. From its ability to thrive in various conditions to its late-season blooms and fragrant flowers, it offers aesthetic and practical benefits for gardens and landscapes. Its cultural significance, particularly in Native American traditions and early settler practices, and its ongoing popularity in skin care, highlight its multifacetedness. Whether appreciated for its beauty, ease of care, or medicinal properties, witch hazel remains a beloved and enduring part of New England’s plant life.
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