How wide and how tall do you want it to ultimately get?
Witch hazels get pretty wide, how much room do you have where you want this?
Will you be changing out to a different plant if/when it gets too big for the container?
How big a container do you have/want?

Edgeworthia chrysantha?

Has cool structure and late winter flowers. Nice foliage in summer. Very easy to keep in check. Tolerates full shade, flowers just about as well in full sun or full shade.

Just shape it as a tree. Should reach 8 feet in a few years.

Hi There! I too, live in Nanaimo! Hope to be at the Seedy Saturday this year.

Hamamelis are mostly shrubby, usually forking near the ground. But as mentioned these are not small-growing, one near Kent was measured recently over 30' tall.

You could certainly grow one in a tub for some years, but more space would be required for long term development.

Size can be controlled somewhat by shortening most recent shoots right after bloom.