A venerated variegated specimen, the leaves of 'Green Thumb' American Witch Hazel set it apart from the pack. The oval-shaped, bluntly-toothed foliage has a dark green center that bleeds into a pale yellow-green shade towards the edges of the leaf, giving it a faded tie-dyed effect. On a shrub that doesn't push its flowers out until late fall or even winter, the lively patterned foliage keeps things interesting during the spring and summer months. In keeping with the rest of the American Witch Hazels, this small deciduous tree is one of the latest-blooming plants, producing intriguing yellow flowers with squiggly petals reminiscent of noodles being extruded from a pasta maker. Plant this specimen near a patio or pathway and enjoy the divine details up close and personally year round.
Conditions: Full sun to part shade; medium moisture, well-drained acidic soils
Size: 15'-20' tall, 15'-20' wide
Zone: 3 - 8
Wildlife Value: Flowers are pollinated by noctuid moths and flies; seeds provide food for some birds, like wild turkeys
Photo: Samantha Nestory