Chinese Witch Hazel
Cooler autumn days are well and truly here. Despite summer attempting to cling on for a little longer, with those few days of blistering sunshine, temperatures have now started to drop as the nights grow ever longer. However, do not hang up that trowel just yet as striking autumnal shades make this a beautiful time of the year to spend in the garden getting your hands dirty. Few colours truly spring to mind for autumn displays quite like the deep magenta and red seen on the Chinese Witch Hazel, making this the perfect plant for us to thrust into the spotlight for October.
Known as ‘EverRed’, this evergreen shrub is a variety of the Loropetalum family, which is known for producing compact stunners that make an impact in more-or-less any garden scenario.
Why You Should Be Growing Chinese Witch Hazel in Your Garden
The main show-stopping feature of this beauty are the glorious blooms in ribbon-like formations. The flowers erupt from one of the deepest purple and healthiest foliage you are ever likely to see.
Sparkler-like flowers burst out like fireworks from the foliage – rather fitting as we approach Bonfire Night!
Short on garden space? This plant looks just as impressive in patio pots, as it does in borders and beds.
This plant is an absolute breeze to grow, making it ideal for less experienced gardeners and those with slightly less time on their hands.
‘EverRed’ is a very slow grower and spreader, offering gardeners ample time to keep it looking uniform and tidy, before it becomes unruly.
The outstanding colour comes at a time when it is certainly most needed, adding autumn and spring interest when many other plants are starting to look tired or sit dormant.
Tempted to grow your own Chinese Witch Hazel?
Our Chinese Witch Hazel are supplied as healthy two-year-old established plants in 15cm pots, ready to plant.
If we have tempted you with this plant’s beauty, you can buy it by clicking on this sentence!
Top tips for planting this beautiful variety
- Plant in a spot of the garden with full sun. Avoid areas of your garden that become waterlogged as winter approaches.
- This plant tolerates temperatures down to -10C. Frost may still damage young leaves. If frost threatens, protect the plant to help preserve growth.
- For best results, grow ‘EverRed’ in a sheltered area in sun or light dappled shade. A south to south-west facing orientation is ideal.
- This variety prefers a slightly acidic, humus-rich soil that retains moisture. Add ericaceous compost to the planting hole or grow in a container.
- Keep well-watered throughout the growing process.
- Chinese Witch Hazel thrives when the roots are cool. Grow it where the roots are likely to be shaded – among other perennials, or cover the area with a thick mulch, slate, flat stones, or gravel.
- In colder parts of the country, where temperatures are likely to drop below -10C, Loropetalum should be treated as tender. Keep your plants in large terracotta containers that can be brought inside for winter shelter.
Have you got a Chinese Witch Hazel in your garden? Show us by sending a picture here!
