Russian Almond vs Witch Hazel - TreeTime.ca

Russian Almond vs Witch Hazel

Hamamelis virginiana

Prunus tenella

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON - MIGHT RETURN

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON - MIGHT RETURN

Witch Hazel
Russian Almond

Witch Hazel is a deciduous shrub, or small tree, with a short trunk, bearing numerous spreading, crooked branches.

The seeds grow in a long, wooden pod with two to four seeds per pod. Upon ripening, the pods burst, firing the seeds up to 30km an hour.

The leaf and bark extract of Witch Hazel has been used as a remedy to common ailments such as inflammation, bruises and much more for many centuries.

Russian Almond is a low maintenance, short, slightly suckering shrub. It is covered with attractive, bright pink flowers in early spring before its foliage emerges.

This hardy species forms dense thickets attracts wildlife. Russian Almond prefers full sun and well-drained soils, but can tolerate moist soils.

The nuts it produces are quite attractive but very small. They are bitter and possibly toxic in large quantities.

Check out our YouTube channel video of the Russian Almond here.

Witch Hazel Quick Facts

Russian Almond Quick Facts

Zone: 3a
Zone: 2a
Height: 6 m (20 ft)
Height: 1.5 m (5 ft)
Spread: 3 m (10 ft)
Spread: 1.2 m (4 ft)
Light: any
Light: partial shade, full sun
Moisture: wet
Moisture: dry, normal
Growth rate: slow
Growth rate: medium
Life span: long
Life span: short
Suckering: medium
Suckering: medium


Flowers: bright pink
Nuts: small fuzzy nuts
Seeds: seeds ejected to a distance of up to 30 ft
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no


Native to: ON, QC, NS, NB, PE
Other Names: dwarf russian almond