Corylopsis

( kor - il - LOP - siss )

At-A-Glance Information

More commonly known as Winter Hazel, this is a deciduous group of shrubs and small trees native to Asia. They are valued for their fragrant, bell-shaped yellow flowers that hang in chains on bare branches in late winter and early springtime. New foliage is tinged pink and turns bright green with maturity. Fall color varies depending on the species, from none, to poor, to yellow. These shrubs have an open structure with a delicate branching pattern, and are most at home in woodland gardens as understory plantings. Use Winter Hazel to add early spring fragrance and color, in informal beds or borders, or simply as a specimen in the landscape.

corylopsis Species and Varietals

The genus Corylopsis includes 30 species and is a member of the Hazel family (Hamamelidaceae). The genus name is derived from the Greek words for Hazel ('korylos') and resemblance ('opsis'), and it was first described in 1836 by Philip Franz von Siebold and Joseph Gerhard Zuccarini. Corylopsis zones vary by species. To find more information, read the descriptions below. To find your zone, click here: Zone Map.

Corylopsis glabrescens (Fragrant Winter Hazel)
This species grows best in USDA hardiness zones 5-8 or Sunset growing zones 2-7 and 14-17. This is the hardiest species in the Corylopsis genus. It grows up to 8-15 feet tall and just as wide at maturity. Can be trained as a small tree, but typically is seen as a multi-trunked, spreading shrub.

Corylopsis pauciflora (Buttercup Winter Hazel)
This species of Corylopsis has a dainty habit, growing to just 4 to 6 feet tall and wide at maturity. It has a naturally spreading, dense, multi-stemmed habit. Grows best in USDA hardiness zones 6-9 or Sunset growing zones 4-7 and 14-17. Blossom clusters each contain about two to three blossoms.

Corylopsis sinensis (Chinese Winter Hazel, Fragrant Winter Hazel, Willmot Winter Hazel)
This species grows best in USDA hardiness zones 6-8 or Sunset growing zones 4-7 and 14-17, and grows to be around 15 feet tall and wide. Varieties include Corylopsis sinensis sinensis (with velvety blue-green leaves), 'Spring Purple' (has purplish young stems in springtime that mature to green), and Corylopsis sinensis calvescens (smooth leaf surfaces and hairless leafstalks).

Corylopsis spicata (Spike Winter Hazel, Winter Hazel)
This species grows best in USDA hardiness zones 5-8 or Sunset growing zones 3b-7 and 14-17. Gets to 8 feet tall and 10 feet wide at maturity. New growth is purple and matures to a blue-green color. Variety 'Aurea' has yellow foliage.

Caring for corylopsis

Plant Corylopsis in a space in the landscape that receives full sun to partial shade. In warmer climates, provide these trees and shrubs with afternoon shade when temperatures are at their peak (typically between 2 and 3 PM). These shrubs and trees should be protected from strong winds, which can damage the delicate branches. Ensure that soil is well-draining, rich in nutrients, and has a pH of between 5.0 and 7.5 (acidic to neutral). If local soils are particularly poor in nutrients or do not drain well, make sure to amend the planting area with plenty of organic compost before installing. They prefer a loamy, humus rich substrate similar to the floor of woodland areas. Apply a layer of mulch around the planting area to suppress weed growth, maintain consistent soil temperatures, and to increase soil moisture retention. Water new plantings regularly as they establish a strong root system in their new home. At maturity, Corylopsis appreciates regular waterings. As a general rule of thumb, water whenever the top two inches of soil feels dry to the touch.

Fertilize yearly in early springtime with an application of 2 inches of compost around the base of plants. Pull mulch back before applying, work the compost gently into the soil a bit, water it in, and then replace mulch. Pruning is simple; remove any damaged, diseased, or dead branches in early springtime. These plants will take on a handsome habit when left to their own devices and should not be controlled for size. If pruning into a tree form, make sure to begin corrective prunings when plants are young, choosing the strongest branch as a main leader and pruning all others off. They are slow-growing and should reach their mature size in about 10 years or so, depending on the variety. Corylopsis are long-lived perennial plants, persisting in the landscape for 50-70 years or more before needing to be replaced.

Harvesting Corylopsis
Corylopsis shrubs are also known for their cut flowers, which last for a very long time in arrangements. They are in bloom from late winter to early spring, and flowers appear before leafout. Choose branches for cutting that have buds that are just beginning to open up. The best time to harvest is in the morning, after dew has dried but before the heat of the day sets in. Using clean, sharp shears, cut stems at a 45 degree angle just above a node. Drop the harvested flower stems into a bucket of cool water, and then bring them indoors to arrange them.

Propagation

Corylopsis can be propagated best by cuttings. To ensure that your propagated plant will have the exact same qualities and characteristics as the parent plant, use the cutting method. If you would like to experiment and see what plant you can grow from seed, just keep in mind that it will not necessarily be the same as the parent plant. To propagate your shrub, follow the instructions below:

Propagating Corylopsis by Cutting

Gather your materials. You'll need a clean, sanitized, sharp pair of garden shears, rooting hormone, a pencil, and a 3-inch pot filled with well-draining compost or other organic material. A good substrate for propagation of cuttings is a light blend of 1/3 pasteurized soil or compost, 1/3 sand, vermiculite or perlite, and 1/3 coconut coir or peat moss.
In late winter, choose the plant that you'd like to propagate. Ensure that this plant has had a good watering the night before, as this will improve the chances your cutting will take root. Cut one or more 6 inch portion(s) of the end of a non-blooming semi-hardwood branch and strip the leaves off of the lower half. Make a hole in your planting medium by pushing your pencil into the soil. Dip the end of the stem in rooting hormone, and plant it in your pot. Fill in soil around the cutting to support it, but do not pack it down too much.
Moisten with water, and ensure that the pot has good drainage. Your pot should be kept in warm, sunny conditions indoors (and not in direct sunlight). Water whenever your soil is dry under the top layer. After about four to six weeks have passed, your cutting should be rooted. When you notice new growth, you'll know you have roots.
Keep your new plant in an area with bright light (though not direct sunlight) and temperatures between 55 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Ensure that the soil stays moist, but not wet, until the next spring, when you can transplant it to its new home. Ensure that the last frost of the year has occurred before doing this, as it can seriously damage your new shrub.

Problems and Pests

Corylopsis does not suffer from any serious disease or pest issues overall, but can be susceptible to developing issues with the following from time to time: