Witch Hazel Ruby Glow
One of the red witch hazels, Hamamelis x intermedia Ruby Glow is a large, fairly vigorous, deciduous shrub with an upright, bushy habit. The broad, hazel-like leaves, 6”/16cm long, emerge mid-green, turning deeper green in summer, and in autumn turn fiery shades of yellow and orange, tinged red. From mid- to late winter, spidery, lightly scented, coppery-red flowers up to ¾”/2cm long, with slightly twisted petals and purplish-red calyxes, appear on the bare branches. Underplanted with early bulbs and winter flowering perennials, Witch hazel Ruby Glow will give untold pleasure in the winter garden.
Site: Sheltered
Soil: Well-drained, humus-rich, acid soil; tolerates neutral soil if reliably moist
Position: Flowers best in full sun
Season of interest: Spring, autumn and winter
Hardiness: Fully hardy
Height: up to 13’ (4m) Spread: 10’ (3m) in 20 years