One of the simple and cost-free options is dry oak leaves.
First, prepare the bush
At the end of the season, witch hazels are pruned according to their pruning group.
Witch hazels of the third group are usually pruned much more strongly, and some vines of varieties that bloom on last year’s shoots must be preserved.
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The base of the bush can be slightly mounded with soil or mulched with suitable dry material.
Carefully remove the preserved shoots from the support and lay them on the ground, trying not to break them.
Why use oak leaves?
Oak leaves decompose more slowly than many other tree leaves and retain their structure longer. Because of this, their layer remains looser and can hold more air.
For covering, choose only dry, healthy leaves without mold or obvious signs of disease.
They can be used to cover the area under the shoots and spread a small loose layer on top.
However, the leaves should not be compressed or packed too densely. The cover should protect the plant, not turn into a constantly damp, compressed mass.
It is better to insulate shoots from wet soil
If the soil remains wet for a long time in autumn, vines should not be laid directly on the damp ground.
Dry leaves, fir branches, or other suitable material can be placed under them to create a small air gap.
This is especially important in regions where thaws often occur in winter. In such places, plants are sometimes more threatened by soaking and rotting than by the cold itself.
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A simple frame on top will be useful
To prevent snow from pressing the laid shoots directly to the ground, an inverted plastic box can be placed over them.
It will act as a small frame and help maintain an air gap inside the cover.
A cut plastic bottle can also be used for a small witch hazel, but ventilation must be ensured. The witch hazel should not be completely hermetically covered with plastic, as moisture can accumulate under such a cover during thaws.
When to cover witch hazels?
There is no need to rush to cover the plant for winter.
If you cover the witch hazel too early, when the weather is still warm and humid, favorable conditions will form inside the cover for the plant to start heating up and rotting.
The main cover is usually installed when cooler weather settles in, taking into account the climate of your region and the frost resistance of the specific variety.
Remove the cover gradually in spring
After stronger frosts end and more stable weather settles, the cover should be started to be ventilated.
Later, remove it layer by layer so that the shoots do not immediately get exposed to the bright spring sun and start heating under the damp leaves.
What is most important to remember?
Dry oak leaves can indeed be used to protect witch hazels from winter frosts. They settle more slowly and help maintain an air gap around the shoots.
However, successful overwintering of the plant depends not only on the chosen material. It is important to consider the pruning group, the frost resistance of the variety, the moisture of the plot, and the local climate features.
It is best not to wrap the plant in as thick a layer as possible but to provide a dry, breathable, and timely installed cover.
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