Hamamelis x Intermedia Diane Witch Hazel

Hamamelis Intermedia Diane is a stunning deciduous winter flowering shrub with orange-red flowers that appear at the bleakest time of year. It is more commonly known as Witch Hazel Diane. Hamamelis Intermedia Diane is broad-crowned with green oval leaves in springtime that become copper, yellow and red in autumn. These red leaves fall to display its deep red flowers which emerge in December to February. These sweetly fragrant flowers clustering on bare branches are a delightful sight on a grey day. This is one of the best flowering witch hazels, so it’s no surprise that the RHS has given Hamamelis Intermedia Diane the Award of Garden Merit. 

How Hardy Is Hamamelis Intermedia Diane?
This witch hazel originates from China and it is fully hardy in sub-zero temperatures, although it will keep its leaves and flowers for a longer period when protected from cold, drying winds.

How To Use Hamamelis Intermedia Diane
Most gardeners use Witch Hazel Diane to add winter interest, but before the distinctive red flowers appear its large leaves turn to stunning red-purple shades that easily match Japanese acers. Hamamelis Intermedia Diane looks stunning when grown as a specimen tree in an open lawn, showing off its colours and vase-shape branches which add height and structure in winter months. Witch hazels cut and keep well in a vase, so you can bring the sweet smelling branches indoors too.

Planted with red barked dogwoods, yellow-stemmed dogwoods and orange stemmed dogwoods in a flower border Witch Hazel Diane makes a stunning wintertime display. Witch hazels also grow well in a container, which can be moved around to fill a bare spot. Hamamelis Intermedia Diane will slowly reach a maximum height of four metres and spread over the same within ten to twenty years, but container grown specimens will remain smaller. 

How To Care For Hamamelis Intermedia Diane
This is a tough shrub if its roots are kept from waterlogged areas. It likes a sheltered position with some sun and tolerates most soils, but if you have extremely chalky soil its best to grow this witch hazel in a container. In early spring remove any diseased or broken branches, and add a thick layer of mulch to the base as this will ensure the best flower display in winter. 

Hamamelis Intermedia Diane is an award-winning witch hazel that’s often ignored in place of well-known acers, but it is a stunning plant that deserves more attention. Tough with a beautiful scent and vibrant year round display Diane will light up any garden.