Little Prospect Witch Hazel

Gift the planet this underutilized native shrub, and you'll be rewarded with an excellent foliage display. We offer the species Common Witch Hazel, too...but this selection stays about half the size.

Both of these shrubs play an important role in local ecology. The unusual, ribbon-shaped petals of Little Prospect Witch Hazel (Hamamelis virginiana 'Little Prospect') yellow blooms start their display well after all other flowering plants are finished.

The flowers open in fall and carry a light scent. These dainty blooms are found all along the stems last for several weeks.

As you can imagine, this pretty shrub is also a nectar-rich boon for pollinators, bees and moths who are preparing to overwinter. Over the winter, the flowers develop into small fruit and seeds which are relished by songbirds the following spring.

But Little Prospect Witch Hazel is a wonderful cultivar that delivers visual interest through the growing season! The amazing green leaves won't scorch (even in summer!) and sport a wide and very irregular lemon-yellow variegated leaf margin.

This gorgeous variegation holds up well in sun and heat. You'll be proud to use this choice in a high-profile area.

Little Prospect Witch Hazel grows with a nice pyramidal form. It's called "Little" because the internodes are short and compact.

Little Prospect Witch Hazel is a real winner and turns any planting into a valuable Pollinator Garden. We're thrilled to offer this rare and hard-to-find selection...order today!

How to Use Little Prospect Witch Hazel in the Landscape

Like it's parent species, this cultivar performs well in partial shade. Leverage it's sunny-yellow leaf margins to brighten up the dappled understory in woodland settings.

They also do fine in full sun! Go ahead and use them as a sophisticated backdrop on the north side of your Butterfly Gardens or perennial borders.

Lush Little Prospect Witch Hazel also makes a super screening plant. Run a hedge four feet apart on center to create meaningful outdoor garden rooms.

Perhaps you want to shield your child's play structure with an ecologically-sound shrub planting. You can't go wrong with this versatile choice!

Extend the height of your fence with a neighbor-friendly variegated showpiece. Weave them into mixed plantings, too and you'll offer butterflies nectar all season long!

They also make a special addition to Cutting Gardens. Use one as a specimen with Renaissance Spirea, Curly Willow and Red-Twigged Dogwood for armloads of material.

Even a single plant develops into an outstanding specimen. Try it at the end of a garden path for a destination at the end of a winter walk.

Or, plant several in a semi-circle around a fire pit. You'll gain bold outdoor décor to late night storytelling and epic marshmallow roasts!

Plant one at the corner of your home to anchor the foundation planting. Pop a few Show Off Sugar Baby Forsythia at its feet to keep the yellow tones coming in early spring.

Of course, you can also present this special shrub to the nature lover in your life. It makes a tremendous housewarming present, and can be successfully grown by beginning gardeners.

Pair them with Elderberry for a medicinal garden. Yes, this is the same plant used in the drugstore skin soother!

Create your own decoctions following good practice from experienced wildcrafters. The pretty leaves can take the sting out of bug bites.

They'll even add a uniquely modern formal flair used as sentries flanking either side of a garden gate. Try them near your patio seating for a durable screening plant, as well.

#ProPlantTips for Care

In the areas with cool summers, it will do just fine in full sun. In Zone 8, give it afternoon shade where it will still receive at least four hours of sunlight a day.

Provide rich, well-drained soil for best results. Add a few handfuls of compost and use Nature Hills Root Booster during planting for life-long support of this landscape asset.

This durable selection will perform best with a consistent amount of water. Use a three-inch layer of mulch over the root system, pulling it back away from the main stems.

Prune in early spring to correct shape. Be sure to site it where it can grow into the full height and spread listed on the Plant Highlights.

You'll fall for the charms of Little Prospect Witch Hazel! Place your order today and enjoy the colorful leaves on this pyramidal shrub from Nature Hills.