Hamamelis intermedia 'Pallida'

Hamamelis intermedia 'Pallida' — Witch Hazel

When the winter garden offers little else, Hamamelis intermedia 'Pallida' delivers one of the most extraordinary floral displays of the entire year. On bare, leafless branches, clusters of delicate, ribbon-like flowers in soft sulphur-yellow appear from midwinter onwards — each one releasing a rich, sweet fragrance that carries remarkably well on cold winter air. It is a plant that stops people in their tracks, and rightly so.

Come autumn, 'Pallida' earns its place a second time over, as the broad, hazel-like leaves turn to glowing shades of amber, orange, and red before leaf fall — making this one of the most rewarding two-season shrubs available for the discerning gardener.

Why Choose Hamamelis 'Pallida'?

• Spectacular sulphur-yellow flowers on bare winter branches — one of the finest witch hazels in cultivation
• Intensely fragrant — rich, sweet scent carries well on cold winter air
• Outstanding autumn foliage in amber, orange, and red — a brilliant second season of interest
• RHS Award of Garden Merit — a proven, long-lived performer in UK gardens
• Slow-growing and well-mannered — ideal as a long-term border or woodland edge specimen
• An impact plant of the highest order — genuinely unmissable in the winter garden

Growing Conditions

Plant in full sun to partial shade in moist, well-drained, neutral to acidic, humus-rich soil. Avoid shallow chalk or alkaline conditions. Shelter from cold, drying winds. Minimal pruning required — remove only dead or crossing branches immediately after flowering. Mulch annually to retain moisture and maintain soil acidity. Slow to establish but exceptionally long-lived and rewarding.