Eco-Friendly Native Plant of the Month

NOVEMBER 2017 NC NATIVE PLANT SOCIETY REEDY CREEK NATURE PRESERVE

Photos by Will Stuart Witch-hazel flowers and seed capsule Hamamelis virginiana Witch-hazel Late Fall Flowers The wide spreading branches and Possumhaw, Viburnum nudum, ferns, Hamamelis virginiana has distinctive arching form draw the eye even in and White Wood Asters. spidery yellow flowers and is one of winter when it is bare of leaves. It is Yes, that Witch-hazel the few late fall blooming native a perfect location for birds to perch in your garden so you can see them, Witch-hazel was historically used by plants that provides nectar for Native Americans as in tinctures, foraging insects. The unusual and they can safely search for food. Doug Tallamy reports that 62 species decoctions of the bark, dried leaves flowers are pollinated by winter and in poultices to treat a wide range moths and various flies. Appearing of caterpillars can be found feeding on Witch-hazel. of illnesses. An astringent made from just as the leaves are turning yellow, the bark can still be found in stores the ribbon-like petals remain as the today. The common name may have leaves drop and are not bothered by come from the use of the forked cold temperatures. Exploding seed capsule… branches as divining rods for water Witch-hazel seeds form from last dowsing or “water wyching.” Tree or Shrub? fall’s flowers inside light brown Witch-hazel can grow to 30 feet tall, woody capsules that mature on the Be careful when purchasing which might make you think of a stem at the same time as the Hamamelis virginiana to be sure that small tree. However, because it tends current year’s flowers. In late fall you are not purchasing the to be multi-trunked with a wide- the seeds erupt shooting the four midwestern native, H. vernalis which spreading canopy, it is more often black seeds up to 30 feet. flowers in February with smaller used as a large shrub and placed as a r e d d i s h fl o w e r s . D r. L a r r y specimen in the home garden Mellichamp suggests buying this landscape. Witch-hazel is adaptable, shrub in November when in flower and can thrive in dry to moist woods In the woodland garden, Witch- to be sure. with shade to part sun. Be attentive hazel is often combined with For more Eco and Bird Friendly pages visit: Calycanthus floridus, Sweetshrub, ncwildflower.org during drought conditions. ncnpssouthernpiedmont.wordpress.com native Azaleas, Rhododendron, ©2017 North Carolina Native Plant Society