Arnold Promise Witch Hazel - 5 Gallon

A classic winter-blooming witch hazel prized for late-winter flowers and excellent fall color. Its open, spreading form adds graceful structure and seasonal interest throughout the year.

• Botanical name: Hamamelis x intermedia ‘Arnold Promise’
• Plant type: Deciduous large shrub
• Growth habit: Spreading

Flowers with wavy, clear yellow petals and red cups appear on bare branches, providing vivid color when little else is in bloom. Plant near high-traffic areas to enjoy the fragrance.

• Flower color: Yellow with red cups
• Flower attributes: Fragrant; showy flowers
• Best placement: Near entries, patios, and pathways

A signature feature is its ability to bloom in the cold season, bringing fresh color and scent when the landscape is otherwise quiet.

• Bloom time: Late winter to early spring

This is a substantial shrub suited to larger beds and boundaries. Give it room to develop into a broad, spreading specimen or screening plant.

• Mature size: About 12 ft. tall and 12 ft. wide
• Growth rate: Moderate
• Overall scale: Large shrub

Rich green foliage provides a handsome backdrop through the growing season, then turns bright shades of yellow and yellow-orange in autumn for a strong seasonal finale.

• Foliage color: Green
• Fall color: Yellow (often with yellow-orange tones)
• Seasonal interest: Winter flowers + fall foliage color

Plant in full sun to partial sun for best growth and bloom performance.

• Light: Full sun to partial sun

Keep a steady watering routine during establishment, then ease back once the root system is developed. Water when the top layer of soil begins to dry.

• When to water: When top 3 inches of soil is dry
• First season: Water deeply and regularly to establish roots
• After establishment: Reduce frequency

Witch hazel performs best in organically rich, well-drained soils with a moderately acidic profile. Improve planting beds with compost for best results.

• Soil: Moderately acidic, organically rich, well-drained
• Moisture: Even moisture is ideal; avoid waterlogged sites
• Soil improvement: Incorporate organic matter at planting

A spring feeding supports vigorous growth and helps maintain a strong, healthy plant over time.

• When to fertilize: Before new growth begins in spring
• What to use: General purpose fertilizer

Witch hazel blooms heaviest on one- to three-year-old shoots. If shaping is needed, prune thoughtfully to preserve future flowering wood.

• Blooming wood: Heaviest on 1–3 year old shoots
• Pruning approach: Light shaping only, focused on structure
• Design tip: Allow the natural spreading form for best character

Use as a specimen for winter impact, or as a large shrub to break up long fence lines and boundaries. It also works as a privacy screen in mixed plantings.

• Landscape use: Border, privacy screen
• Great for: Entries, patios, and visible winter focal points
• Design ideas: Woodland edges, understory plantings, transition zones

A reliable, easy-care shrub with standout fall color and winter bloom performance. Useful in areas where road salt exposure can be a concern.

• Special features: Easy care; fall color
• Problem solving: Road salt tolerant

Pair with other shrubs and woodland plants that complement winter bloom and fall color for a layered, seasonal display.

• Forsythia (Forsythia)
• Snowberry (Symphoricarpos)
• Dogwood (Cornus)
• Oak Leaf Hydrangea (Hydrangea)
• Oregon Grape Holly (Mahonia)

Deciduous shrub suited to cooler climates, delivering winter flowers and fall color with a strong structural presence in the landscape.

• Growing zones: 5–9
• Deciduous: Yes

A hybrid witch hazel with Asian parentage that became a garden classic. ‘Arnold Promise’ was developed at the Harvard University Arnold Arboretum and introduced in 1928.

• Pronunciation: ham-a-ME-lis in-ter-MEE-dee-uh