The Dawes Arboretum

Common name: Purple Prince™ vernal witch-hazel

Family: Hamamelidaceae (witch-hazel family)

Distribution: Species native to s.-c. United States, Mexico

Hardiness: USDA Zone 4

Life form: Deciduous shrub/Subshrub

Comments: A vigorous, medium size deciduous, multi-stemmed shrub growing 7-10' high and more in spread. Plants in suitable sites will sucker, forming colonies. It is unique for its winter strap-like, rosy lavender flowers that occur in late February and early March. Fall color can be an outstanding orange and red. Foliage is disease and insect free. Old leaves fall so as not to hide flowers.