Birch Leaf Spirea vs Witch Hazel - TreeTime.ca

Birch Leaf Spirea vs Witch Hazel

Hamamelis virginiana

Spiraea betulifolia

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON - MIGHT RETURN

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON - MIGHT RETURN

Witch Hazel
Birch Leaf Spirea

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.

Birch Leaf Meadowsweet is a small, rounded shrub, reaching 3 to 4 feet high.

In the early summer, white flowers emerge with dark green foliage. Come fall, birch-like leaves turn a kaleidoscope of red, orange, and purple adding seasonal interest.

Native to Japan and Eastern Asia, this dwarf shrub attracts butterflies and is an excellent option for the front row of a shrub border.

Witch Hazel Quick Facts

Birch Leaf Spirea Quick Facts

Zone: 3a
Zone: 4a
Height: 6 m (20 ft)
Height: 0.9 m (3 ft)
Spread: 3 m (10 ft)
Spread: 0.9 m (3 ft)
Light: any
Light: full sun
Moisture: wet
Moisture: normal, wet
Growth rate: slow
Growth rate: medium
Life span: long
Life span: short
Suckering: medium
Suckering: none


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: birch leaf meadowsweet, shiny leaf spirea, white spirea