A cheerful burst of bright yellow blooms in late winter when the rest of the garden is still asleep
FEATURES:
- One of the earliest flowering trees, blooming in late winter to very early spring
- Spidery golden-yellow flowers with a sweet, spicy fragrance
- Multi-stemmed, vase-shaped form adds grace and structure
- Reliable hybrid with excellent vigor and cold hardiness
- Foliage turns glowing shades of yellow and orange in fall
- Deer-resistant and low-maintenance once established
- Ships on our trucks because of the size of the tree; does not fit in a box
Bower & Branch Landscape Design Tip
Plant Arnold Promise Witch Hazel where it can be admired during the colder months, such as near a window you look out from often. Its golden flowers will glow against the bare branches of winter, especially when backlit by the low sun. Underplant with spring bulbs to create a layered seasonal show that builds as the year progresses.
Growth Facts
- Hardiness Zone: 5-8
- Mature Height: 12-15' tall
- Mature Width: 12-15' wide
- Exposure: Full Sun to Partial Shade
- Spacing: 12-15' apart
Arnold Promise Witch Hazel
Bower & Branch Trees and Plants
Hamamelis x intermedia 'Arnold Promise'
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A cheerful burst of bright yellow blooms in late winter when the rest of the garden is still asleep
FEATURES:
- One of the earliest flowering trees, blooming in late winter to very early spring
- Spidery golden-yellow flowers with a sweet, spicy fragrance
- Multi-stemmed, vase-shaped form adds grace and structure
- Reliable hybrid with excellent vigor and cold hardiness
- Foliage turns glowing shades of yellow and orange in fall
- Deer-resistant and low-maintenance once established
- Ships on our trucks because of the size of the tree; does not fit in a box
Bower & Branch Landscape Design Tip
Plant Arnold Promise Witch Hazel where it can be admired during the colder months, such as near a window you look out from often. Its golden flowers will glow against the bare branches of winter, especially when backlit by the low sun. Underplant with spring bulbs to create a layered seasonal show that builds as the year progresses.
Growth Facts
- Hardiness Zone: 5-8
- Mature Height: 12-15' tall
- Mature Width: 12-15' wide
- Exposure: Full Sun to Partial Shade
- Spacing: 12-15' apart
Why plant Arnold Promise Witch Hazel?
There’s no better early season pick-me-up than an Arnold Promise Witch Hazel or Witchhazel by your door. When this small ornamental tree breaks out its bunches ofconfetti-likesunny yellow flowers in February or March, you’ll breathe a sigh of relief, because you’ll know that winter is coming to an end and the finish line’s in sight. On mild days, the flowers pour out a delicious perfume that will make you want to linger outside as you’re coming or going. And if you think Arnold Promise doesn’t have much to offer the rest of the year, think again. You’ll look forward to the fiery red and yellow fall foliage almost as much as the flowers! Hybrid Witch Hazels originated in Boston at Harvard’s Arnold Arboretum in the 1920s, when a honeybee unwittingly sampled the flowers of two different species growing side-by-side. Seven seeds from this chance pairing germinated, and one of these plants came to be known as ‘Arnold Promise’—now widely regarded as the best Witch Hazel ever developed. Its lemon-peel yellow flowers (larger than those of many other varieties) give a welcome shot of spring, arriving while the world is still dark and gray and releasing a heavenly perfume.
How to use Arnold Promise Witch Hazel in the landscape?
Not very many trees bloom in winter... which makes this particular tree form quite unique! Yellow spidery looking flowers appear February/March depending on the season - what else blooms in February?? Typically this is grown as more of a shrub, but this particular Witch Hazel is grafted onto a standard making it a small tree form. A perfect specimen for your unique landscape!
How To Plant Arnold Promise Witch Hazel
Arnold Promise likes a soil enriched with compost and appreciates shade during the hottest hours of the day (around 1pm to 3pm). Don’t worry about protecting the blossoms from frost! They can handle it. The strappy flowers contract on extremely cold days and unfurl again on milder ones. Arnold Promise is normally a shrub, but ours are grafted onto a related tree called Parrotia so that they take a tree form. You’ll want to patrol for branches that look a bit different coming from below the graft and trim them out immediately.
Frequently Asked Questions
It blooms in late winter to very early spring, often starting in February, producing clusters of fragrant yellow flowers on bare branches.
Minimal pruning is required. If shaping is desired, prune lightly after flowering. Remove dead or crossing branches at any time.
Yes. Its spidery yellow flowers have a sweet, spicy fragrance that carries on cool winter air, adding another layer of delight to its display.
