There is a lot of different kinds. In his 2005 RHS/Timber Press book on witch hazels Chris Lane recommends the hybrids 'Angelly', 'Aphrodite', 'Arnold Promise', 'Aurora', 'Barmstedt Gold', 'Diane', 'Frederic', 'Gingerbread', 'Glowing Embers', 'Harry', 'Jelena', 'Livia', 'Orange Peel', 'Pallida', 'Ripe Corn', 'Robert', 'Rubin', 'Sunburst', 'Vesna' and the pure Chinese witch hazel selections 'Imperialis', 'Jermyns Gold' and 'Wisley Supreme'. That's just the ones he thinks are good bets. I tend to prefer 'Pallida' but getting the true plant can be a problem. I grew one for years that never developed full-sized flowers, continue to see similar stock offered. It sets the standard on which to judge all others (Lane)

"it is definitely a spring bloomer-I checked my tag. Its the red bloom variety" What else does the tag say? Sure it's a native and not an intermedia? Diane or Jalena? They should be much showier than the native which should be expected to be beautiful but understated. Try to check out some vernalis in situ to really appreciate what the native form is like. The native vernalis has a red form I know of called "amathyst". They are very pretty but unassuming. Blooms are very red/purple. Most witchhazel blloms appear more profuse on hotter, sunnier days and sort of retract at night and on cold, overcast days. You've had it just one season and moved it. Maybe give it more time and it will grow on you?

We had some for sale at the Georgia Native Plant Society sale two weeks ago in Marietta. Native, local plants, fresh from a construction rescue. I have one that had to be cut down at the rescue due to construction damage. It's not pretty right now so I didn't bring it to the sale. But it is vigorously sprouting back. I can bring it to our May meeting at Atlanta Botanical Garden on May 14 if you want to buy it from the plant society (we'll be selling some other plants too). Here is a link that might be useful: GNPS Meeting

babs, I seem to like both the yellows and the reds so I will have to take a look at that 'Diane'. I haven't seen any of these in a garden setting, only in photos. I hope you have good luck with yours this winter..and maybe you will post a photo in the spring when it blooms? :-) dtd...What a shame that the suckering spoils the effect. One of the qualities I like about the witch hazel, is the form. The bloom and the fall foliage alone is something you can probably find in other shrubs, but I have seen a number of photos of WHazels that have a wonderful form. Of course, I was assuming that some pruning was involved to do that, but I didn't realize they sucker that badly. I think it would make me unhappy if it suckered that much. For instance, on crabtrees that have a lot of suckering at the base. I really want to see that single, attractive trunk and the suckering at the base just spoils it for me. So, when you say 'ask about the rootstock', are you saying that the particular shrubs you bought from forestfarm were the problem and that some nurseries might sell some that won't sucker? Can I ask, what is your favorite aspect of having a Witch Hazel in your garden and if you gave it away would you really miss it? Thank you both.. :-) pm2