“'Jelena' witch hazel (Hamamelis x intermedia 'Jelena') is one of those low-maintenance shrubs you just fall in love with — especially for its fragrant late-winter flowers. They show up in big numbers…”
Hosta major
'Jelena' Witch Hazel Brightens the Late-Winter Landscape with Its Orange Flowers
'Jelena' witch hazel (Hamamelis x intermedia 'Jelena') is one of those low-maintenance shrubs you just fall in love with — especially for its fragrant late-winter flowers. They show up in big numbers while the shrub is still bare, and that warm orange color really pops against the empty landscape.
Common name: 'Jelena' witch hazel
Botanical name: Hamamelis x intermedia 'Jelena', syn. 'Copper Beauty'
Origin: Plants of the species Hamamelis x intermedia come from crosses between two Asian witch hazels: H. japonica and H. mollis. 'Jelena' was introduced in the 1950s from a Belgian nursery and remains one of the most popular of these hybrid witch hazels.
Flowers: In late winter to earliest spring, spidery-looking flowers open all along the bare branches. The skinny petals surround a burgundy center and shift from deep orange at the base to golden orange at the tips. They have a sweet, light fragrance that's most noticeable on sunny days.
Foliage: The deciduous leaves emerge later in spring, after the shrub finishes blooming. They're deep green in summer and turn gorgeous orange-red in fall.
Size and habit: This shrub reaches 8 to 12 feet tall and wide, with an upright, vase-shaped habit.
Growing 'Jelena' witch hazel
Exposure: Full sun to part shade
How to grow it: Plant 'Jelena' witch hazel in full sun to part shade and moist but well-draining soil that's rich in organic matter and neutral to slightly acidic in pH. More sun means the best flowering and growth habit. Give it water during drought to prevent leaf scorch.
When planting H. x intermedia hybrids, be careful not to bury the stem too deep — they're usually grafted onto the roots of H. virginiana. If the graft union ends up buried, the rootstock is more likely to send up suckers that'll bloom in a different color and quality. Always remove any suckers you spot.
It's best to plant this shrub somewhere it has room to grow to its natural size and shape. If pruning does become necessary, do it in spring after the flowers fade. Pruning after that risks cutting off the flower buds that would open the following year. USDA Zones 5–8.
Images credit: Jennifer Benner
