Hamamelis x intermedia 'Arnold Promise'

Hamamelis x intermedia 'Arnold Promise', by Robert Pavlis

Hamamelis x intermedia 'Arnold Promise' is one of the most popular witch hazel cultivars, but that still makes it an uncommon plant to see in the garden. It is a small vase-shaped tree that can be kept quite small with pruning, so it will fit into any garden. It can even be grown as a small potted plant or bonsai.

H. x intermedia is a cross between the Japanese witch hazel (H. japonica) and the Chinese witch hazel (H. mollis). The cultivar 'Arnold Promise' was developed at the Arnold Arboretum and named in 1963, and is commonly called the Arnold Promise witch hazel.

Hamamelis x intermedia 'Arnold Promise', by Robert Pavlis

Witch hazel cultivars are difficult to propagate and are normally sold as grafted plants. H. x intermedia is usually grafted on the North American native, H. virginiana which commonly suckers. These need to be removed in order to maintain the cultivar.

Video showing you how to remove suckers 

In my alkaline, clay soil, they are slow to establish themselves, but they don't seem to have a problem in these conditions. H. virginiana blooms in late fall and H. x intermedia bloom in late winter. Arnold Promise is one of the last to flower and usually flowers when there is still snow on the ground. The foliage turns an attractive yellow-to-orange color in the fall.

Witch hazel wood is used for dowsing, also called witching, a method used to locate water. You hold a Y-shaped branch as you walk across the ground and when it points down you have found underground water. A friend of mine, that drills wells, told me that he always carries such a stick in his truck. Some customers will only drill if he witched the land to find the water, so he would go through the process to keep them happy. Although this belief is held by many, it is a complete myth and has no scientific basis.

 

Hamamelis x intermedia 'Arnold Promise', by Robert Pavlis

Other popular cultivars include Diane with copper-red flowers, Copper Beauty has coppery-orange flowers and Ruby Glow which has copper-red flowers and much better fall color. Each witch hazel requires a different chill period before it flowers which results in each one flowering at a different time.

I brought some stems in the house this winter and was amazed as how well they did. It only takes a few days for the flower buds to open and they last about 2 weeks. I think I actually prefer them as forced branches rather than leaving them outside.

Video showing you how to force branches

 

Hamamelis x intermedia 'Arnold Promise'

(ham-uh-MEE-lis  in-ter=MEE-dee-a)

Life Cycle: shrub

Height: 5 m (15 ft)

Bloom Time: late winter

Natural Range: n/a

Habitat: mollis - forests, japonica - mountains

Synonyms:  n/a

Cultivation of Hamamelis x intermedia 'Arnold Promise':

Light: part shade to full sun, flowers best in full sun

Soil: acidic, humusy

Water: moderate

USDA Hardiness Zone: 5- 9

Propagation: difficult by cuttings, seeds need two chill periods