Cold hardiness

Heat tolerance

Where this plant fits

Suitable across 41 ecoregions — 40 climate-resilient through 2070 · 1 suited today. Best matches first.

What it needs

Lifecycle

Pollination

Perfect flowers produce viable seed without a partner. The unique late-fall to early-winter bloom timing means pollination depends primarily on noctuid moths active in cold weather — winter moths (Eupsilia spp., Anoplodes spp.) and other cool-season Lepidoptera are the documented visitors per NC State. Bees are largely inactive during the bloom window.

Plants don't grow alone

For people

Witch hazel is the source of the commercially familiar "witch hazel" astringent extract (distilled from bark, leaves, and twigs of H. virginiana — confusion with European witch hazel H. mollis or the related Asian species is common). NC State notes "various medicinal uses, especially for skincare" under ethnobotany. Internal use of garden-grown plant material is not established and should not be inferred from the commercial extract.

Native range

Climate notes

In the designer

Seasonal interest

University extension service

Photo · CC BY 2.0