Chinese witch hazel (Hamamelis mollis 'Wisley Supreme')
Hamamelis mollis 'Wisley Supreme' offers highly fragrant, showy, pale yellow flowers in late winter. This low-maintenance Chinese witch hazel is hardy in Zones 5-8.
Complete Plant Information
Overview
The stunning Hamamelis mollis ‘Wisley Supreme’, a cultivar of the Chinese witch hazel, brings crucial color and fragrance to the late winter garden. This open, upright deciduous shrub is cherished for blooming well before its foliage emerges, providing welcome visual interest when little else is active. Its sweetly-scented flowers, a pale yellow often tinged with red at the base, create an atmosphere unique among early-flowering woody plants.
Reaching a mature height and spread between 10 and 15 feet, Hamamelis mollis ‘Wisley Supreme’ is a substantial addition to the landscape, lending itself well to specimen planting or screen creation due to its elegant structure. Despite its size, it is classified as a low-maintenance shrub once established in appropriate conditions. Gardeners value it not only for its fragrant winter display but also for the attractive yellow fall foliage it offers before leaf drop.
Originating from China, this cultivar was refined at the RHS Wisley Garden, enhancing the inherent fragrance characteristic of the H. mollis species. Successfully growing this Chinese witch hazel relies on providing it with consistently moist, organically rich soil, though it possesses some tolerance for clay varieties if drainage is not impeded.
Fast Facts
- Plant Family: Hamamelidaceae
- Plant Type: Deciduous shrub
- Hardiness Zones: USDA Zones 5-8
- Size at Maturity:
- Height: 10-15 ft
- Spread: 10-15 ft
- Bloom Time: January to March
- Bloom Description: Pale yellow
- Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
- Water Needs: Medium
- Maintenance Level: Low
How to Grow
Plant this magnificent shrub when dormant, ideally in fall or early spring, ensuring it is situated in a location that maximizes its winter visibility. Hamamelis mollis ‘Wisley Supreme’ thrives in average to rich soils amended with plenty of organic matter, requiring a consistent supply of moisture. While it tolerates partial shade, achieving the best flowering performance requires siting this Chinese witch hazel in a spot receiving full sun.
Maintain consistent soil moisture, especially during dry summer periods, as drought stress increases the risk of leaf scorch on the developing foliage. Although it shows tolerance for clay soils, excellent drainage remains paramount for root health. This shrub generally requires low maintenance; however, vigilance against root suckers is necessary, particularly if the plant is grafted onto a different rootstock, as these should be promptly removed.
Pruning should occur immediately following the flowering period in spring to shape the shrub or manage its size. Gardeners in Zone 5 should take extra care, choosing protected locations away from harsh winter winds. This mitigation strategy helps prevent potential damage to the winter flower buds when temperatures drop below -5°F.
Landscape Uses
The striking late-winter bloom of Hamamelis mollis ‘Wisley Supreme’ makes it an exceptional choice for a specimen planting where its early display can be fully appreciated. Plant it near walkways or seating areas to capture the powerful, sweet fragrance when daytime temperatures rise slightly. It also functions beautifully as an anchor in the shrub border or integrated into a woodland garden setting, providing structure throughout the year.
As a screening or hedging plant, it offers seasonal interest beyond the typical evergreen hedge, transforming into a beacon of pale yellow in January. The attractive yellow fall color adds another layer of seasonal appeal, making it a valuable four-season performer. Consider pairing it with early-blooming spring bulbs that emerge just as the witch hazel finishes flowering, creating a seamless transition into the next season.
Standout Features
Flower Qualities
- Showy
- Fragrant
Noteworthy Characteristics
This cultivar, ‘Wisley Supreme’, originated at the RHS Wisley Garden and is noted for its larger, sweetly-scented, pale yellow flowers that boast red tinges at the petal bases, blooming before the leaves emerge in late winter. The species, Hamamelis mollis (Chinese witch hazel), is renowned for having the most fragrant flowers of all witch hazels, and this specimen delivers on that inheritance. Its leaves mature to dark green before displaying an attractive yellow hue in autumn, rounding out the seasonal interest of this impressive shrub.
Tolerances
- Deer
- Erosion
- Clay Soil
Potential Problems
The primary concerns for Hamamelis mollis ‘Wisley Supreme’ involve occasional leaf-chewing insects like caterpillars or Japanese beetles, though these rarely require intervention for a plant of this size. Sap-sucking pests such as scale or aphids may appear, along with leafminers or leafrollers, but chemical treatments are seldom justified. Fungal issues like powdery mildew or minor leaf spots can occur, which is often a sign of excessive humidity or poor air circulation; ensure adequate spacing when planting. The most significant risk is winter flower bud damage in colder microclimates within Zone 5, requiring careful site selection.
Frequently Asked Questions
What hardiness zones is Chinese witch hazel suitable for?
This Chinese witch hazel, Hamamelis mollis ‘Wisley Supreme’, is suitable for USDA Hardiness Zones 5 through 8.
How large does Hamamelis mollis ‘Wisley Supreme’ grow?
This cultivar typically matures to a height of 10 to 15 feet, achieving a spread of 10 to 15 feet in width, forming a rounded shape.
What sun exposure does Hamamelis mollis ‘Wisley Supreme’ need?
For optimal growth and the best floral display, this shrub prefers full sun, though it will tolerate partial shade.
When does Chinese witch hazel bloom?
The fragrant, pale yellow flowers of the Chinese witch hazel appear between January and March, well before the summer foliage develops.
Conclusion
The Hamamelis mollis ‘Wisley Supreme’ is an exceptional late-winter spectacle, delivering richly fragrant, showy flowers when the garden urgently needs color. Its manageable size and low maintenance requirements make it a dependable asset for any discerning gardener. Before planting, confirm your location falls within USDA Zones 5-8 and plan to site your new Chinese witch hazel where its early performance can be fully enjoyed.
Companion Planting
Selecting companions for Hamamelis mollis ‘Wisley Supreme’ involves balancing its need for light and moisture with plants that offer contrast or sequential blooming. Because this shrub flowers so early, deciduous companions should offer strong structural interest in winter or rich color in spring and summer. Consider low-growing evergreens like dwarf rhododendrons or azaleas, whose acidic soil preferences align perfectly with the witch hazel’s ideal conditions.
If you must prune the shrub, doing so in spring places it alongside other early-season bloomers. Pair it with woodland favorites like Hellebores (Lenten Rose), which also bloom from late winter into early spring, creating a layered visual effect in the same cool-season timeframe. The golden fall color of the Chinese witch hazel also pairs nicely with structural evergreens that provide year-round structure.
Seasonal Care Calendar
In early spring, immediately after the flowers fade, is the ideal time for pruning Hamamelis mollis ‘Wisley Supreme’. This ensures you shape the plant just before it pushes new leaves, maximizing blooms for the following year. Focus on selectively removing crossing branches or weak growth to maintain an open structure conducive to good air penetration.
Summer requires diligent attention to consistent watering, especially during heat waves critical for the health of this medium-water-need shrub. Providing a generous layer of organic mulch helps retain soil moisture, reducing the stress that can lead to leaf scorch. This consistent moisture management is key during the active growth period.
Fall cleanup involves raking fallen leaves, although you can enjoy the attractive yellow fall color before they drop. In late fall, especially when temperatures dip sharply, check Zone 5 locations for any signs of damage from drying winter winds and ensure mulch is thick around the base to insulate the root zone for the coming cold.
