Hamamelis virginiana 

'American Witch Hazel'

Hamamelidaceae: a small, deciduous tree growing to 6m, often with a dense cluster of stems from its base. Found at the edges of dry or moist woods, in rich soil and on the rocky banks of streams. The flowers are pale-bright yellow, rarely orange or reddish, with four ribbon-shaped petals 10–20mm long and four short stamens, and grow in clusters, blooming from September-November. The leaves are oval, broad, oblique at the base, acute or rounded at the apex, with a wavy-toothed or shallowly lobed margin. Native to Eastern North America - Nova Scotia to Wisconsin and south to Texas and Northern Florida.

USES:

Witch hazel bark is a traditional herb of the North American Indians who used it to heal wounds, treat tumours, eye problems. A very astringent herb, it is commonly used in the West and is widely available from both herbalists and chemists. It is an important ingredient of proprietary eye drops, skin creams, ointments and skin tonics. Tannins in the bark are believed to be responsible for its astringent and haemostatic properties.

GROWING INFORMATION:

Seed can be very slow to germinate. Seed will require 2 months’ warm stratification then 1 month cold followed by another 2 weeks warm and then a further 4 months’ cold stratification. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots as soon as they are large enough to handle. Overwinter them in a greenhouse for their first winter and plant out in late spring. Prefers a moist sandy loam in a sunny position. A very hardy plant tolerating temperatures down to about -35°C, but plants seldom produce seeds in Britain.

HARVESTED: 2020

APPROX. 25+ SEEDS