These small tree shrubs with beautiful purple, scarlet, lemon and orange inflorescences in the world are considered very rare and valuable. Their uniqueness is not only in the appealing look of a decorative form or in the richest chemical composition, but in the healing properties and in the absence of a wide species diversity. On the whole globe, botanists counted only 4 types of witch hazel. His presence in the garden or front garden is a clear sign of the good taste of the owners of the site, who know a lot about flower plants. On reproduction, planting and care will be discussed further.
Did you know? In everyday life, witch hazel is called "witch-nut" or "witch-nut." The name is associated with the late periods of flowering of the crop and the appearance of fruits only in a year.
Types of witch hazel
An exotic plant was first discovered in North America. There, scientists have recorded 2 species. The rest found at the opposite end of the earth - in East Asia.
Although there are few varieties of witch hazelnut, they managed to completely confuse scientists: some shrubs bloom in early spring, others - in late autumn, and others - in 18-degree frosts. 
Moreover, the asymmetric oblong foliage all summer merges with the green palette of forest neighbors, and only in autumn it becomes bright yellow, and then golden or crimson.
Moreover, what will be the bush, each year determines the weather. On the branches at the same time can flaunt flowers and last year's fruit. Consider the features of each species.
Spring
Spring witch hazel (Hamamelis vernalis) grows wild in the central regions of North America. In culture, he appeared only in 1908. 
Characteristic differences of these exotic shrubs are one and a half meter stalks, dark purple calyx on flowers and small red petals, barely reaching one and a half centimeters.
The flowering period of this kind of witch nut in temperate climatic zones begins in the first weeks of April, and in the tropics and subtropics it is possible even in the middle of January.
And on the branches, flowers first open, and only then green leaves appear up to 15 cm. In the same year, by the end of October, the fruits ripen.
Did you know? The ancient American sorcerers were looking forward to the appearance of foliage on witch hazel. From their branches made special brooms, which are used for magical rituals.These witch hazel grow slowly, adding annually up to 10 cm. Blossom upon reaching the age of 5, by the age of 30 their crowns develop in a volume of up to 1 m.
They are propagated by cutting, but the cuttings do not adapt well. The shrub can adapt to moderate cold weather, easily tolerates partial shade and sun shade, and is unpretentious to the conditions of substrates. Spring variety became the basis of varieties Cameo, Cooper, Sandra, Christmas Cheer. The method of grafting also reproduces the following plants: thuja, laurel, zamiokulkas, Brugmansia, plum, clematis, honeysuckle capillary, gooseberry.
Virginia
Hamamelis virginsky (Hamamelis virginus) was cultivated much earlier than his fellows. Flower growers engaged in its cultivation in 1736. These are tall shrubs with three-meter trunks and a spherical crown. Young shoots are distinguished by dense stellate hairiness.
Dense asymmetric dark green leaves appear in late spring. Fastened to the branches with low pubescent petioles. Autumn bush blooms. Dense inflorescences generously cover branches, turning the plant into a continuous blooming ball, shrouded in soft purple or scarlet mist of petals with a pleasant aroma.
In addition, the foliage is poured purple with yellow stains. Due to these bright colors witch hazel creates in the garden festive atmosphere until the frost.
Did you know? The warlike tribes of the American Indians, the Iroquois, Potuatomi, and Cherokee, were the first to reveal the secret of the healing properties of witch hazel. From the potion they were preparing a wound-healing and hemostatic decoction, and with it they fought with bouts of fever. After some time, the medicine based on the extract of the spell-nut has appeared on the market. "Medicine Man"named after an Indian medicine man.Culture begins to bloom only in the tenth year of life. Ripe fruit on the shrub can be found in the fall in a year. Often they crack and continue to hang on the branches. From the brown seed pods, 2 black kernels are poured out.
In the southern regions of North America, from where the exotic has spread, its native elements are the soil enriched with useful substances on the forest edges and along the shores of water bodies. Among the garden varieties, the Rubescens variety is particularly popular.Japanese
Japanese Witch Hazel (Hamamelis japonica), as well as soft-haired, is a representative of the Asian group. His relatives in the wild were found on the Japanese coasts. 
Vivid signs of culture are ten-meter shrub trunks and sprawling crown. Sprouts covers lightweight. Leathery leaves in shape resemble a flattened oval with a length of up to 12 cm.
In summer they are green, and in autumn they are painted in yellow-crimson tones. Flowers with a diameter of 2 cm, consist of 4 petals, bloom at the end of March and delight the eye for about a month.
The shrub enters the flowering phase only at the 19th year of life. The species is cultivated about 135 years ago, in our latitudes it can be found only in botanical gardens.
Important! Scientists have shown that some components of witch hazel virgin can suppress at the cellular level malignant tumors.
How to choose seedlings when buying
Depends on the state of seedlings shrub development during the first decade. Therefore, it is better to purchase planting material in garden centers, nurseries or in specialized stores in order not to waste time and to satisfy the thirsty exotic gardener. it first rule all lovers of flora. 
When choosing the right type of witch hazel, pay attention to the rhizome and stems. In healthy specimens, a powerful root system with whole smooth processes without galls and other structures, abrasions and mechanical damage. Check if they are dry.
It is enough to scratch the root, so that fresh wood. If you find dark spots on the roots or dead ends, such a seedling should be discarded. Stems should be straight and viable. Choose those seedlings that have a solid bark and thick shoots.
Important! The preparation of medicinal raw materials witch hazel are engaged in different seasons. For example, the foliage is harvested in the fall, and the bark in the spring.
Selecting a landing site: lighting and soil
Ornamental hazelnut shrubs grow very well on bright, moist and warm areas. In the garden, suitable for them protected from the northern winds of the place. 
It is important that cold air flows never accumulate in them. The plant will smell sweet near a small reservoir, near the wall of a house or fence. Witch hazel can be planted in the penumbra, under sparse crowns of tall crops such as cedar and birch.
The soil is desirable nutrient with good drainage, but in the absence of such, even rocky terrain, loam, will do. the main thing - to take into account that the culture does not like drought and will not be able to hold out on the dried substrate for a long time.
It is also worth thinking about the future. Shrub loves freedom, so in advance, provide him with neighbors who will not hamper and restrict its development.
How to plant seedlings on the site
The planting of this exotic plant is always planned for March. Once the ground is warm enough, seedlings can be rooted.
To do this, dig a hole, the depth and width of which depends on the rhizome of planting material. Ideally, the recess should be much wider than the root system of the plant. At the bottom, be sure to lay a broken brick or expanded clay. 
Then fill with a mixture of the fertile layer of earth (the first 3-4 shovels of the spade) and compost. It is also nice to fertilize with humus. After that, place a sapling in the center of the pit, spread its roots, pour it over and fill it with soil, tamping it well.
Try to plant on your plot also saplings of such trees as: felted cherry, sweet cherry, Chinese plum, coniferous tree, apricot, apple tree.The barrel is desirable to shake well several times in order to fill the voids between the roots, which were formed in the process of planting. Pristvolny circle cover garden compost. For the year mulching will have to be repeated again.
Important! Well-structured soil is determined using water. It is easily absorbed and retained only at the level of rhizome.
Is it possible to grow witch hazel seed
Species varieties of witchcraft can be obtained by seed multiplication and grafting, and hybrid forms - inoculation.
Among the gardeners, cuttings are more popular, since the grains do not always germinate and require special care for germination. In addition, if rooting the stalk only takes 6 weeks, then it takes a whole year to sprout sprouts from the seed.
Only ardent collectors and curious experimenters decide on such laborious steps. Each seed box has 2 black grains.
Potatoes, castor bean, maize, muraiou, turnips, acacia, stockrose, leeks, cabbage, Brugmans and asparagus can be grown from seeds.They appear in the late fall. They must be stratified, after which you can carry out landing.
This is done in November in the classical way in advance cooked boxes with lids, which, after planting, should not be placed in heat, but outside. In this mini-greenhouse cover with hay or sawdust. In winter, snow is also piled on it.You can take your "bed" in the cellar or a cold greenhouse. Do not forget to follow to the earth com did not dry out and was moderately wet. The appearance of young shoots should be expected in a year in mid-April - early May.
Did you know? Not all forms of witchcraft fruit.
Care and cultivation on the site
Beautiful and unpredictable exot was not demanding to care. It is important for him that there is enough space for growth and moisture nearby.
Watering
How many times you need to water the hazel depends on the weather conditions. Make sure that the earth in the borehole circle does not dry out. It should always be loose and slightly damp. 
Dryness is allowed only on the upper layer. Special attention to moisturizing procedures should be paid during the dry summer. Long hot weather has a bad effect on the shrub, as a result of which it looks exhausted and lifeless.
Therefore, in order to prevent a similar development of events, in the heat every evening, irrigate the crown. If desired, you can arrange sprinkling in the morning and evening.
Pruning
In the shortening of shoots witch hazel extremely rarely needed. This happens when the shrub thickens greatly. Then, after flowering, branches thin out a little, pinching off those that are directed inside the crown.
To give the plant a more decorative form, some gardeners have advised on two-year-old seedlings to cut the wrongly growing shoots to the ring. 
This is done to evenly distribute the branches in perspective. Argued that pruning is not necessary for exotics. It can fully grow without the help of a pruner.
the main thing - in time to remove the emerged root shoots. Otherwise, instead of a decorative specimen, a thick unsightly thicket is formed on your site.
Did you know? The last century, scientists around the world pore over all sorts of experimental tests of the properties of witch hazel. The results of these studies were summarized and published in 2009 in the report of the European Medical Commission.
Shelter
In winter, young seedlings up to 5-7 years old be sure to spud Fallen leaves or cover with hay. The pristvolny circles in the fall are mulched with a thick layer of compost to save the roots from frost.
Possible difficulties in growing
In the reviews, growers indicate an unpredictable behavior of the crop: it seems that the seedling bought healthy, and created conditions for growth, and the walnut develops poorly and does not bloom. 
Moreover, in areas with severe winters, stalks and roots often freeze slightly, sometimes shrubs do not even live to spring.
Experts believe that the reasons this may be:
- Species features of the plantespecially when it comes to Asian witch hazel. Their planting material could be grown at home - in Japan or China, and sold in Ukraine and Russia.
- Varietal varieties characterized by poor resistance to cold. In hybrids, it is much lower than in basic species.
- Terrain mismatch. Unsuccessfully selected site for planting will certainly affect flowering and cultural development.
Over the years it is very important to comply correct agricultural practices for the care of the bush. Worry so that the water does not stagnate and root rot does not occur. From the lack of moisture foliage will fade and dry.
Witch-hazel stalks require special care on the eve of winter. In the spring, shrubs should be freed from frozen branches.
Important! Feeding witchcraft should be twice a year: in autumn and spring.
Use in landscape design
In the garden, this unique plant will look spectacular everywhere. It can be planted alone, and you can create a beautiful composition with other flowering shrubs. 
Neighboring witch-hazel of different types with cardinally opposite terms of budding will look no worse in a flower bed. And also this is a great background for mixborders.
Use in cosmetology and as a medicine
Due to the micro-and macro-rich chemical composition, witch hazel has healing and cosmetic properties. Official medicine has proven the intuitive knowledge of the ancient Indians, highlighting the main medicinal qualities of a plant:
- antioxidant effects;
- antibacterial;
- antiviral;
- decongestant;
- astringent;
- anti-inflammatory and vasoconstrictor.
Of all the species, more healing properties have been found in virgins.Due to their beneficial properties in cosmetology, they use bird cherry, dogwood, enoteru, pineapple, thyme, ginger, broccoli, amaranth, strawberries and watermelon.Its secret is contained in tannins, with a unique ability to bind to proteins, blocking many biochemical reactions.
Pharmacists have developed many drugs based on a healing potion for varicose veins, hemorrhoids, and vascular "stars".
Important! In the extract of witch hazel found 170 known medicine useful substances.The healing properties of the plant are appreciated by cosmetologists. In their arsenal, there are many creams, lotions, shampoos, gels and balms based on oil from young shoots, as well as from the hazel hazel bark.
Such tools are recommended for problem skin, reducing inflammation and stagnant spots on the skin after ulcers, as well as to remove the capillary network.Moreover, as part of many sunscreen sprays there is a hood their spell-nut. There is also a series of skin care products around the eyes and swollen, tired legs.
No wonder witch nut is considered the most amazing plant all over the globe. In a way, he is like a naughty child. But despite these quirks, an exotic bush can please you with the luxury of spring or autumn colors.
