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Corylopsis spicata

Phonetic Spelling
kor-i-LOP-sis spih-KAH-tah
Description

Spike Winter Hazel can be bushy and open or upright with spreading picturesque branches. It prefers light, moist, but well-drained soil.

It performs best when located where it can receive some protection from the afternoon sun as well as high winds.  The recommended soil should be humus-rich, fertile, well drained, acidic with regular moisture.  A sheltered location will help protect this plant.  Although these are the optimum conditions, it may also do well in less desirable locations.  

It blooms on racemes in the early spring before the leaves unfold.  Plants have many racemes and each raceme has from 6 to 12 flowers.  

Pruning should be accomplished immediately  after flowering.

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:  No serious insect or disease issues.  Protect from afternoon sun and high winds.  Late spring frost can damage the blooms.  Extreme heat will conditions require watering.

Differences between Corylopsis pauciflora and Corylopsis spicata:

  •      Flowers:  C. pauciflora - 2-3 per stem; C. spicata -  many flowers in one stem
  •      Stamen:  C. pauciflora - reddish ; C. spicata - yellow

VIDEO created by Ryan Contreras for “Landscape Plant Materials I:  Deciduous Hardwoods and Conifers or Landscape Plant Materials II:  Spring Flowering Trees and Shrubs” a plant identification course offered by the Department of Horticulture at Oregon State University


 

More information on Corylopsis.

Profile Video:
See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Aurea'
  • 'Golden Spring'
    Bronzed new growth.
  • 'Ogon'
'Aurea', 'Golden Spring', 'Ogon'
Tags:
#purple#fragrant#hummingbird friendly#deciduous#full sun tolerant#fragrant flowers#shrub#purple leaves#yellow flowers#deciduous shrub#showy leaves#spring flowers#blue leaves#dappled sunlight#deer resistant#bushy#blue-green leaves#cutting garden#spring interest#pollinator plant#Asian garden#partial shade tolerant#bee friendly#clay soils intolerant#broadleaf#landscape plant sleuths course#hedge
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Aurea'
  • 'Golden Spring'
    Bronzed new growth.
  • 'Ogon'
'Aurea', 'Golden Spring', 'Ogon'
Tags:
#purple#fragrant#hummingbird friendly#deciduous#full sun tolerant#fragrant flowers#shrub#purple leaves#yellow flowers#deciduous shrub#showy leaves#spring flowers#blue leaves#dappled sunlight#deer resistant#bushy#blue-green leaves#cutting garden#spring interest#pollinator plant#Asian garden#partial shade tolerant#bee friendly#clay soils intolerant#broadleaf#landscape plant sleuths course#hedge
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Corylopsis
    Species:
    spicata
    Family:
    Hamamelidaceae
    Uses (Ethnobotany):
    Hedges
    Life Cycle:
    Woody
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Layering
    Seed
    Stem Cutting
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Southern Japan
    Wildlife Value:
    Hummingbirds and bees are attracted to the flowers.
    Play Value:
    Attractive Flowers
    Attracts Pollinators
    Buffer
    Fragrance
    Screening
    Dimensions:
    Height: 6 ft. 0 in. - 8 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 6 ft. 0 in. - 8 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Shrub
    Tree
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Habit/Form:
    Dense
    Erect
    Open
    Spreading
    Growth Rate:
    Medium
    Maintenance:
    Low
    Texture:
    Medium
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Soil Texture:
    High Organic Matter
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Available Space To Plant:
    6-feet-12 feet
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Type:
    Capsule
    Fruit Description:
    The fruit is a two celled capsule with each cell containing 2 seeds.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Raceme
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Fragrant
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Flower Shape:
    Bell
    Flower Petals:
    4-5 petals/rays
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    This plant has fragrant, clear, yellow flowers with red-purple anthers in 1-2 in. drooping clusters in the spring. They bloom before the foliage appears.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Leaf Color:
    Blue
    Green
    Purple/Lavender
    Leaf Feel:
    Fleshy
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Leaf Shape:
    Obovate
    Ovate
    Leaf Margin:
    Dentate
    Hairs Present:
    Yes
    Leaf Length:
    3-6 inches
    Leaf Description:
    The new growth is dark purple, eventually the leaves mature to deep blue-green. Leaves are alternate and nearly circular but have teethed margins and are pointed at the end. Veins are easily seen and are more obvious on the underside of the leaf since the underside has a lighter shade and has the veins coming out a bit. While the upper side of the leaf is glaucous, the underside is pubescent.
  • Bark:
    Bark Color:
    Dark Brown
    Red/Burgundy
    Bark Description:
    Dark brown and a bit red
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Form:
    Zig Zags
    Stem Description:
    Thin, flexible, multistemmed and arching.
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Patio
    Woodland
    Landscape Theme:
    Asian Garden
    Cottage Garden
    Cutting Garden
    Pollinator Garden
    Winter Garden
    Design Feature:
    Barrier
    Border
    Hedge
    Mass Planting
    Attracts:
    Bees
    Hummingbirds
    Pollinators
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Deer
    Diseases
    Insect Pests