Hamamelis virginiana, commonly known as American Witch-Hazel, is a deciduous shrub native to the understory of deciduous forests, often found along stream banks and in moist woodlands across the Eastern and Midwest United States, as well as the Canadian Maritime Provinces. It typically grows to a height of 15-20 feet (4.5-6 meters) and a similar spread. American Witch-Hazel has a distinctive appearance with its spreading, irregularly-shaped crown, and it produces fragrant, spider-like flowers with crinkly, ribbon-shaped petals that are yellow to yellow-orange in color, blooming from late fall to early winter.

The plant is valued for its late-season flowers, which provide visual interest when few other plants are in bloom, and for its astringent properties, historically used medicinally. It is often used in naturalized plantings, woodland gardens, and as a specimen plant. American Witch-Hazel prefers acidic to neutral soil, and while it tolerates a range of moisture levels, it thrives in evenly moist, well-drained soil. It is relatively low-maintenance but can be susceptible to leaf gall aphids and powdery mildew.CC BY-SA 4.0