‘Old Copper’ is an initially upright then vase-shaped, 9’-10’ tall shrub that grows in sun to partial shade and is noted for its early blooms, starting in February, as soon as temperatures rise above around 40 degrees Fahrenheit. Each curly, crimped light orange flower has four strap-like petals with heavy red tints emerging from a dark purple-red calyx. When temperatures drop below freezing, the petals will curl up and then open again when warmer temperatures return. Large elliptic leaves are initially a medium green with maroon tints, then a dark green before changing to yellow in autumn.

Intermediate witch hazels were created by the hybridization of Hamamelis japonica (native to Japan) and Hamamelis mollis (native to western China).