Corylopsis spicata

Corylopsis spicata (04/04/2015, Kyoto Botanic Garden, Kyoto, Japan)

Position: Partial shade

Flowering period: Spring

Soil: Moist, well drained, acid

Eventual Height: 2m

Eventual Spread: 2.5m

Hardiness: 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b

Family:  Hamamelidaceae

Corylopsis spicata is a deciduous shrub with a spreading habit. Its dark green leaves are ovate with serrate margins, greyish on their undersides, up to 10cm long and 6cm across. Its fragrant pale yellow flowers have red/ purple anthers, are bell shaped, borne on short pendant racemes and appear before its leaves. The fruit is a small, dry, 2 valved capsule.

Corylopsis spicata, commonly known as Spike Witch Hazel or Winter Hazel, is native to south Japan and south east China.

The etymological root of the binomial name Corylopsis is derived from the Greek korylos meaning Hazel and oyis meaning ‘appearance’, in reference to the leaves’ similarity to those of the Hazel. Spicata is derived from the Latin spica meaning ‘an ear of grain’, in reference to the form of its flowers.

The landscape architect may find Corylopsis spicata useful as an attractive spring flowering shrub for lightly shaded location. It prefers a sheltered location.

Corylopsis spicata Flower (04/04/2015, Kyoto Botanic Garden, Kyoto, Japan)

Ecologically,  Corylopsis spicata flowers are attractive to pollinating insects.

Corylopsis spicata prefers moist, humus rich, well-drained soils. It prefers an acid pH of soil. It dislikes dry soils.

Corylopsis spicata requires little maintenance. Necessary pruning should be carried out in spring, after flowering.

Corylopsis pauciflora

Corylopsis pauciflora (04/04/2015, Kyoto Botanical Gardens, Kyoto, Japan)

Position: Partial shade

Flowering period: Spring

Soil: Moist, well drained, acid

Eventual Height: 1.5m

Eventual Spread: 2.5m

Hardiness: 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a

Family:  Hamamelidaceae

Corylopsis pauciflora is a deciduous shrub with a spreading habit. Its mid green leaves are ovate with serrate margins, greyish on their undersides, up to 7.5cm long and 5cm across. Its leaves are tinged with red as they emerge. Its fragrant pale yellow flowers are bell shaped, borne on short pendant racemes and appear before its leaves. The fruit is a small, dry, 2 valved capsule.

Corylopsis pauciflora, commonly known as Buttercup Witch Hazel, is native to Japan and Taiwan.

The etymological root of the binomial name Corylopsis is derived from the Greek korylos meaning Hazel and oyis meaning ‘appearance’, in reference to the leaves’ similarity to those of the Hazel. Pauciflora is derived from the Latin paucum meaning ‘a few’ and flora meaning ‘flower’.

The landscape architect may find Corylopsis pauciflora useful as an attractive spring flowering shrub for a lightly shaded location. It prefers a sheltered location.

Ecologically, Corylopsis pauciflora flowers are attractive to pollinating insects.

Corylopsis pauciflora Flower (04/04/2015, Kyoto Botanical Gardens, Kyoto, Japan)

The Royal Horticultural Society has given Corylopsis pauciflora their prestigious Award of Garden Merit in 1993.

Corylopsis pauciflora prefers moist, humus rich, well-drained soils. It prefers an acid pH of soil. It dislikes dry soils.

Corylopsis pauciflora requires little maintenance. Necessary pruning should be carried out in spring, after flowering.

Corylopsis glabrescens

Corylopsis glabrescens (23/04/2016, Kew Gardens, London)

Position: Full sun to partial shade

Flowering period: Early spring

Soil: Moist, well drained, acid

Eventual Height: 5m

Eventual Spread: 5m

Hardiness: 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a

Family:  Hamamelidaceae

Corylopsis glabrescens is a deciduous shrub with a spreading habit. Its dark green leaves are broadly ovate with serrate margins, grayish on their undersides, up to 10cm long and 7cm across. Its leaves may turn yellow in autumn before they fall. Its fragrant yellow flowers are cruciform in shape, borne in pendant racemes which are up to 4cm long and appear before its leaves. The fruit is a small, dry, 2 valved capsule.

Corylopsis glabrescens Flower (23/04/2016, Kew Gardens, London)

Corylopsis glabrescens, commonly known as Fragrant Winter Hazel, is native to Japan and Korea.

The etymological root of the binomial name Corylopsis is derived from the Greek korylos meaning Hazel and oyis meaning ‘appearance’, in reference to the leaves’ similarity to those of the Hazel. Glabrescens is derived from the Latin glabra meaning ‘hairless’ and the epithet -escens meaning ‘-ish’.

Corylopsis glabrescens Leaf (23/04/2016, Kew Gardens, London)

The landscape architect may find Corylopsis glabrescens useful as an attractive early spring flowering shrub. It is suitable for an informal hedging plant. It prefers a sheltered location.

Ecologically,  Corylopsis glabrescens flowers are attractive to pollinating insects.

Corylopsis glabrescens prefers moist, humus rich, well-drained soils. It prefers an acid pH of soil.

Corylopsis glabrescens requires little maintenance.



Landscape Architecture