Witch Hazel Tree Seeds

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WITCH HAZEL – Hamamelis virginiana (Seeds per Packet: 20+)
Witch hazel is a small tree or tall shrub that is multi-trunked and usually grows 10-15 ft. It has large, crooked branches offering interest. It produces a very unique floral display of fragrant, yellow flowers with crumpled petals in the fall that last long after it drops its leaves. It tolerates moist woodlands, wet soils, tolerates pollution, shade, and poor soils. Avoid extremely dry situations. It prefers moist areas.


Zones: 3,4,5,6,7
Light Requirement: Sun – Shade
Height: Up to 16 ft.
Plant Type: Native Perennial

Shipping: Usually ships in 2 business days
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Planting Tree Seeds

Elderberry – Germ Code 2 - The best time to plant Elderberry Seeds is in fall or early winter. They can be planted in spring or summer during warmth but will take longer to germinate. You should choose an area that will allow for larger growth bushes, trees or shrubs. They should not be crowded, and they should get at least 4-6 hours of sunlight for proper flowering and berry production. Soil should be loamy. Adjust your soil if you need to. It should be moist but well drained. Plant the seed approx. ¼ inch deep and cover with a light layer of soil. Water enough so that the top 2 inches of the soil is moist. Keep soil moist through any warm periods and then water only when the soil dries out until spring. In hotter months keep the soil moist. Elderberry needs a few periods of stratification before germinating so be patient!

Flowering Dogwood Seeds – Germ Code 4 – Plant Flowering Dogwood seeds after soaking in water for approx. 4-6 hours and after all chance of frost has passed in spring. These will need periods of stratification before breaking dormancy i.e., warm, cold, warm etc. Plant in a location of Partial Shade to Shade but the area should get some sun during the day. The soil should be moist but not wet and the area should be kept moist but never soaked for any length of time as the seeds will rot. Spread the seeds out over the top of the soil and cover with a light layer of soil and tamp down.

Winterberry Seeds – Germ Code 4 - Winterberry is fairly easy to grow but will need periods of stratification to break dormancy. Plant in an area with some sun to partial shade which is undisturbed in slightly acidic soil. Spread the seeds out over the top of the soil for a good seed to soil contact. Winterberry is not picky about soil type or moisture – wet, moist but if the soil becomes dry, it will need watering.

Witch hazel Seeds – Germ Code 2 - Witch hazel is easy to grow but will need about 1-2 years and periods of warm, cold, warm to germinate. Plant in a bright location in slightly acidic soil in an area with good moisture retention but well-draining. They are fairly maintenance free but benefit from a good pruning each year. Please seed just under the soil. You can do this by placing the seed on top of the soil and pushing slightly below and tamping down. Be sure to water during the hotter months.

Spicebush Seeds – Germ Code 1 - Spicebush is easy to grow, should sprout the following year after seeding. Planting in an area of partial shade in rich, moist soil is best. Plant the seed pointed side up under approx. 1/8 inch of soil.

NOTE: as with all tree seeds, plant more than you wish to grow. You can thin out any extras that germinate. Some tree species will need both male and female seeds so planting more than necessary is an important step. All tree seeds need patience!

Woodland & Rare Wildflower Seeds
About: Many seeds of woodland, native and rare wildflowers have built-in dormancy mechanisms which protect them from germinating before killing frosts or in times of drought. In the wild, seeds will lie dormant until they acclimate to their new environment or until the proper conditions for growth occur. To be successful with these types of species and growing them from seed you must realize that each species has a different method of naturally breaking dormancy. Woodland and Rare wildflowers are not instant garden flowers, and many take a great amount of patience before they germinate and bloom. Once they do, they are well worth the wait Until you are able to plant, seeds should be stored in a cool, dry place or in a sealed, airtight contain in the refrigerator (not the freezer).

Suggestion for Breaking Dormancy for Woodland, Native and Rare Species
Each species is different. Some are relatively quick and act like traditional perennials while others can take a few years. Below, we have outlined different ways these species break dormancy to help you better understand why some take longer than others. It will also help you to better understand why they do not germinate the first or second year – so don’t give up on them!

Your Packets Will Be Marked with the Following Germination Codes on the Label:

G1 – Some species germinate upon sowing in a warm location like any other perennial. They grow and leaf the first year to begin blooming the second and successive years.
G2 – Some species need a cold, moist stratification followed by an extended cold period ie. Fall/Winter, before germination occurs. These species can be planted in warmth but do need the cold/moist before germinating.
G3 – Very small seeds need light to break dormancy so they should be planted no deeper than 1/8th of an inch and just a light layer of soil cover. They should not be allowed to dry out. You can tell the size of your seeds by just looking at them. Some will need to go through the stratification process before germinating.
G4 - Some species will need a warm, moist period followed by a cold, moist period, warm, moist etc. Some will germinate after the first warm, cold, warm period while others will need 2-4 full years of these alternating conditions to break dormancy. Plant fresh seed immediately or keep cool/moist until you can.

Planting Information:

Seeds needing scarification, nicking or any specialized treatments have been done before shipping to you. Select a planting location with partial shade or shade or filtered light. Prepare the planting bed so that the soil is well draining and rich. The best way to do this is to till the top 12 inches of soil with a garden rake and then mix in several inches of humus, such as compost or peat moss unless you are planting in woodland area and then the soil is usually sufficient. Plant the seed no deeper than 1/4 inch below the surface of the soil unless you have small seeds which should be planted no deeper than 1/8 inch or on top of the soil, lightly compressed. Cover with a light layer of soil. Most seeds need to be protected from drying winds and sunlight, so cover them quickly. Water well if planting in spring, water lightly if planting in fall.
Fern Spores: Direct sow fern spores on soil surface and pat them down for a good spore to soil contact.
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