Family: Hamamelidaceae
Common Name: Winter Hazel

Native to China and Japan, these hardy, deciduous shrubs bear their hell-shaped, fragrant, yellow flowers in trails along the previous season's shoots. The blunt-toothed leaves appear after the flowers in spring.

Species

C. glabrescens, from Japan, is a large shrub, to 6 m (20 ft), with hairy leaves and small lemon yellow flowers in spring.

C. pauciflora, buttercup winter hazel, is a branching shrub, to 2 m (6 ft), with early spring flowers.

C. sinensis, from China, grows to 5 m (16 ft), with ribbed, oval, hairy leaves and lemon yellow flowers.

C. spicata, spike winter hazel, from Japan, is one of the best garden forms. This low-growing, bushy shrub, generally less than 2 m (6 ft) tall, has heart-shaped, grayish leaves and fragrant, pendent flowers enclosed in greenish bracts.

Cultivation

Corylopsis needs an acid soil so it is best planted in conditions that suit rhododendrons and magnolias. Propagation is generally by layering or from seed, though cuttings taken in late spring through summer can succeed. Advanced shrubs will transplant easily during their dormant season.

Climate

Suited to zone 6.