Japanese witch hazel

Japanese witch hazel should be watered regularly to keep the soil slightly moist but not soggy. In warmer weather, water deeply approximately once every 10 days and reduce to once a month in cooler weather. Make sure to water the plant slowly and thoroughly, and avoid getting the leaves wet during the process. To ensure optimal levels of moisture, consider using a moisture meter to check the soil for optimal levels. Additionally, to help retain moisture, you can use mulch around the plant which will also add extra nutrients to the soil.

Japanese witch hazel does best when grown in an area that receives at least 4 to 5 hours of direct sunlight per day. This plant should be kept in the sunniest position in the garden. The plant's leaves are sensitive to intense heat and may scorch if grown in locations that get too much direct sunlight. Partial shade is ideal as this will ensure the plant receives enough light for good growth but not so much as to damage the foliage. Despite this, Hamamelis japonica var. obtusata will still bloom in full light!

Pruning should be done twice yearly on a Japanese witch hazel to promote healthy growth and promote flowering. Prune in late winter (February to early March) and midsummer (June to early July). In late winter, prune only dead, broken, or misshapen branches. In midsummer, thin the plant by removing 1-third of the oldest stems at their base and encourage additional flowering by removing any dead flowers. It is important to avoid pruning all the stems at 1 time as this can stress the plant.