Common witch hazel vs Arnold Promise
They flower at opposite ends of winter: common witch hazel in October and November, 'Arnold Promise' in late winter. Common witch hazel is the native of eastern woods, a large shrub whose spidery yellow flowers open as its own leaves turn gold and fall, so they can be hard to see. 'Arnold Promise' is a hybrid of two Asian witch hazels that flowers in clear yellow on bare branches, when nothing else is out: plant it where it can be seen from a window in February.
 Common witch hazelHamamelis virginiana |  Witch hazel 'Arnold Promise'Hamamelis x intermedia 'Arnold Promise' | |
|---|---|---|
| Size | 15 ft tall, 15 ft wide | 13 ft tall, 13 ft wide |
| Plant | 13 ft apart | 10 ft apart |
| Zones | 3 to 8 | 5 to 8 |
| Light | Full sun to part shade | Full sun to part shade |
| Soil | Evenly moist, average fertility | Evenly moist, rich fertility |
| Flowers | Mid October to late November; yellow | Early February to mid March; yellow |
| Leaves | Bold, deciduous | Medium, deciduous |
| Job in a bed | Anchor | Anchor |
| Pets | No toxicity recorded | No toxicity recorded |
| Deer | Resistant | No record |
| Native | Yes | No |
| Spread | Low risk | Low risk |
Rows where they differ are marked. Flowering times are for zone 5.
Which to choose
- Choose common witch hazel for colder gardens (to zone 3), a native garden and more wildlife.
Can they grow together?
Yes: they grow in the same conditions. What witch hazel 'Arnold Promise' brings beside common witch hazel: flowers first, early February to mid March, so the spot is never empty; medium leaves against its bold ones; happy in the same moist soil. They share full sun, part sun and part shade and zones 5 to 8.
Read more: all about common witch hazel, and all about witch hazel 'Arnold Promise', each with a bed the planner designed around it.