The witch hazel collection in Madison Square Park consists of over 70 varieties. Between November and March, when most of the park’s plants are dormant, the witch hazel’s vivid blooms emerge to complement the fall and winter scenery. The plant’s fragrant blooms are typically yellow or red, but our collection boasts rare purple and pink varieties as well. The species is a small understory tree bearing spider-like flowers. It generally grows to the size of a shrub or small tree, with arching branches reaching heights of 20 to 30 feet. Among the many types of witch hazel, one, Hamamelis virginiana, is traditionally used to make teas and ointments. Madison Square Park has an extensive collection of witch hazels recognized as a Nationally Accredited Collection through the Plant Collections Network.