Witch hazel - Ask Extension
Hello,We've had two witch hazel shrubs for 4+ years now. I have never seen any blossoms on them and they have not increased in size (about 4 feet tall...
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Witch hazel #765042
Asked August 01, 2021, 12:34 PM EDT
Hello,
We've had two witch hazel shrubs for 4+ years now. I have never seen any blossoms on them and they have not increased in size (about 4 feet tall). And now I am seeing the leaves curling and having holes. Any advice you have would be great.
Thank you!
Katharina
We've had two witch hazel shrubs for 4+ years now. I have never seen any blossoms on them and they have not increased in size (about 4 feet tall). And now I am seeing the leaves curling and having holes. Any advice you have would be great.
Thank you!
Katharina
Orange County Vermont
Expert Response
Hello,
Some of the holes in the leaves could be caused by any number of leaf-feeding beetles like Japanese beetles, rose chafers, oriental beetles, Asiatic garden beetle, etc. It looks like the damage is minimal and no insecticide is necessary for this amount of damage since it will not affect the health of the tree. It looks like witch hazel may not flower if it is too much in dense shade or is too young. You are watching for flowers in fall/winter, correct? I am not sure if that is the case in your plant, but 4 years old may be too juvenile. THe plant looks really healthy and vigorous so i would just try to be patient. It does look pretty bushy so thinning out some branches may help the sun penetrate more and lead to flower production.
Ann Hazelrigg
Plant Diagnostic CLinic
Some of the holes in the leaves could be caused by any number of leaf-feeding beetles like Japanese beetles, rose chafers, oriental beetles, Asiatic garden beetle, etc. It looks like the damage is minimal and no insecticide is necessary for this amount of damage since it will not affect the health of the tree. It looks like witch hazel may not flower if it is too much in dense shade or is too young. You are watching for flowers in fall/winter, correct? I am not sure if that is the case in your plant, but 4 years old may be too juvenile. THe plant looks really healthy and vigorous so i would just try to be patient. It does look pretty bushy so thinning out some branches may help the sun penetrate more and lead to flower production.
Ann Hazelrigg
Plant Diagnostic CLinic
Thank you Ann! I will try the thinning (I imagine in fall?) and be patient. They are getting full sun.
We are in zone 4, at 2200 feet elevation. Would they still flower in fall, despite the cool weather?
Katharina
Yes, they should flower even there. Depends on cultivar but it looks like they are hardy in zones 3 and up.
Ann
Ann
