American witch hazel is a large shrub to small tree, growing from 10-20 feet tall. Part shade but will tolerate full sun conditions is richer garden soils. Rather slow growing and may take decades to reach full size. It begins flowering at a young age, however, and the small, spidery, yellow flowers appear from October to December making it by far the latest blooming native plant. Seeds ripen the following fall and the seed pods release their seeds with explosive force flinging the seeds several yards in every directing. Zone 3-8. VA ecotype.