Chinese witch hazel (Hamamelis mollis 'Goldcrest')
Hamamelis mollis 'Goldcrest' offers sweetly-scented, golden yellow witch hazel blooms in winter. A low-maintenance shrub ideal for structure.
Complete Plant Information
Overview
The Hamamelis mollis ‘Goldcrest’, or Chinese witch hazel, is highly valued for providing brilliant color and fragrance during the bleakest part of the year. This outstanding deciduous shrub offers deeply fragrant, golden yellow flowers that emerge well before the leaves, lighting up the winter landscape. It is an open, upright specimen maturing into a rounded shape perfect for adding structure to the winter garden.
As a relatively low-maintenance addition, the Chinese witch hazel thrives in average soils provided they are well-drained. While it tolerates some shade, achieving the best flowering performance requires placement in full sun. Gardeners appreciate this cultivar not only for its winter display but also for its attractive foliage and decent fall color transition.
Choosing Hamamelis mollis ‘Goldcrest’ ensures you are planting one of the most fragrant witch hazels available, making its late winter bloom a highly anticipated event. This shrub successfully combines year-round structure with exceptional seasonal interest.
Fast Facts
- Plant Family: Hamamelidaceae
- Plant Type: Deciduous shrub
- Hardiness Zones: USDA Zones 6-8
- Size at Maturity:
- Height: 10-15 ft
- Spread: 10-15 ft
- Bloom Time: January to March
- Bloom Description: Yellow tinged with maroon at petal bases
- Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
- Water Needs: Medium
- Maintenance Level: Low
How to Grow
Plant Hamamelis mollis ‘Goldcrest’ in spring or fall outside of the hard freeze period for the best establishment. Location selection is crucial; while it tolerates part shade, the best flowering performance is achieved in locations receiving full sun throughout the day. Cultivation requires average, medium moisture, well-drained soils, though it can show tolerance for clay soils if drainage remains adequate. It prefers soil that is organically rich and slightly acidic.
Watering needs are medium, and consistent moisture is vital, especially during the summer months, as drought stress can lead to leaf scorch midway through the season. Fertilization is rarely needed if the soil is rich; focus instead on maintaining even moisture levels. Pruning should be addressed in the spring immediately after the flowering period concludes, solely to manage the shape or reduce size.
A critical cultivation note for Chinese witch hazel is managing potential suckering. Promptly remove any root suckers that appear, particularly if the plant is grafted onto a different rootstock, to maintain the desired cultivar characteristics. For gardeners in Zone 5, it is highly recommended to site these shrubs in protected locations, as winter flower buds are susceptible to damage when temperatures drop significantly below freezing.
Landscape Uses
The inherent size and habit of Hamamelis mollis ‘Goldcrest’ make it an excellent specimen plant, drawing the eye when few other plants are actively blooming. Its natural, rounded shape allows it to anchor formal borders or serve as a striking focal point in a woodland setting. Flowering stems, cut during their peak in late winter, create exceptionally attractive indoor winter bouquets, leveraging the cultivar’s fragrant bloom.
When incorporated into shrub borders, ensure it is placed where its winter flowers can be easily viewed from a patio or primary window. Although it functions well as a hedge due to its robust structure, its primary value lies in its aesthetic contribution during dormancy. Consider pairing it with evergreen material or early spring-blooming bulbs that emerge after the witch hazel has finished flowering to ensure season-long interest.
Standout Features
Flower Qualities
- Showy
- Fragrant
Noteworthy Characteristics
Hamamelis mollis, commonly called Chinese witch hazel, is an open, upright medium to large, deciduous shrub which typically matures to 10-15’ tall with a rounded shape. This species produces the most fragrant flowers of all the witch hazels, and the specific ‘Goldcrest’ cultivar is noted for its sweetly-scented, golden yellow flowers which are tinged with maroon at the petal bases. Ovate-rounded leaves provide nice texture in the growing season, followed by attractive yellow-orange fall color.
Tolerances
- Deer
- Erosion
- Clay Soil
Potential Problems
While generally resilient, Hamamelis mollis ‘Goldcrest’ can occasionally face issues from chewing insects, notably caterpillars and Japanese beetles feeding on the spring foliage. Pest monitoring should also include checks for gall aphids, scale insects, and leafrollers. Potential disease issues such as powdery mildew or minor leaf spots are usually cosmetic and rarely require intervention.
The most significant horticultural concern is winter injury, specifically damage to the flower buds. In colder microclimates or exposed, windy sites within USDA Zone 5, temperatures dipping below -5°F can kill the developing buds, preventing the desired winter bloom. Selecting a sheltered planting location is the best preventative measure against this frost damage.
Frequently Asked Questions
What hardiness zones is Chinese witch hazel suitable for?
Hamamelis mollis ‘Goldcrest’ is suitable for USDA Hardiness Zones 6 through 8.
How large does Hamamelis mollis ‘Goldcrest’ grow?
This cultivar typically reaches a height of 10 to 15 feet, with a similar spread of 10 to 15 feet at maturity.
When does Chinese witch hazel bloom?
The fragrant bloom time for this variety is between January and March, featuring yellow flowers tinged with maroon at the petal bases.
What sun exposure does Chinese witch hazel need?
This shrub performs best in full sun but can tolerate partial shade, though sun exposure directly affects the quality and quantity of winter blooms.
Conclusion
The Hamamelis mollis ‘Goldcrest’ offers irreplaceable value by delivering a spectacular, fragrant golden display exactly when the garden needs it most. This low-maintenance Chinese witch hazel adapts well to varied conditions, providing structure and interest across multiple seasons. Before planting, confirm your local hardiness rating and ensure the location offers consistent moisture and reasonably good drainage to maximize the performance of your shrub.
Companion Planting
When designing a garden utilizing the winter interest provided by Hamamelis mollis ‘Goldcrest’, focus on underplanting with low-growing, early spring ephemerals. Plants like snowdrops ($Galanthus$) or winter aconite ($Eranthis hyemalis$) bloom concurrently or just afterwards, creating an exquisite transition as the Hamamelis finishes flowering. Because this witch hazel prefers moist, well-drained acidic soil, ensure any companions share these cultural requirements.
Consider using contrasting textures; dark green conifers, such as certain dwarf hemlock varieties, provide an excellent backdrop that sets off the fine, airy structure of the Chinese witch hazel flowers during winter, offering visual depth before summer foliage fully develops.
Seasonal Care Calendar
Mid-to-Late Winter (Jan-Mar): This is the prime viewing period for the golden, fragrant flowers of Hamamelis mollis ‘Goldcrest’. Protect the plant from harsh, drying winds if possible, especially in transitional zones.
Spring (Post-Bloom): Prune immediately after flowering if shape control is needed. This is the best time to remove any suckers originating below the graft union. Monitor for emerging foliage and ensure consistent watering through spring transition.
Summer: Maintain regular, deep watering, especially during dry spells, to prevent leaf scorch. Weed carefully around the base to reduce competition, being cautious not to disturb the shallow root system.
Wildlife Benefits
Although the primary benefit of Hamamelis mollis ‘Goldcrest’ is aesthetic for the gardener, the late, fragrant bloom offers a crucial resource for emerging pollinators. As one of the earliest flowering woody plants in the landscape, the lightly scented yellow flowers provide nectar and pollen for early emerging bees and other insects when food sources are otherwise scarce.
While the seed capsules (fruits) are not a major wildlife draw compared to species cherries or viburnums, the dense branching structure of this medium-sized shrub does offer valuable cover and nesting opportunities for small songbirds throughout the winter months, especially once deciduous neighbors have dropped their leaves.
