Buttercup Winter Hazel Corylopsis pauciflora

First described and published in 1836 by Philipp Franz von Siebold and Joseph Gerhard Zuccarini.

From the Greek words korylos, translating to hazel and opsis, which means 'like' for the resemblance to the leaves of Corylus, comes the scientific name.  Pauciflora refers to the lack of the number of flowers on each raceme, pauci meaning few and flora referring to the flowers.

Buttercup Winter Hazel is a spreading, dense, mounding multi-stemmed shrub. It features showy, mildly fragrant primrose yellow flowers in the early spring before the leaves emerge.  Flowering occurs on last old wood, pruning should be accomplished soon after flowering.  The drooping racemes are up to 1.25' long and each will have 2 to 5 flowers. This shrub will have numerous racemes, and with the absence of foliage, makes a showy display.  

It can be grown in most soils, however, prefers partial shade, acidic, moist, well-drained soil enriched with organic matter. It is high pH intolerant. The leaf margins burn in full sun and wind, so provide wind protection and some shade during hot afternoons. Pruning to remove damaged branches may become necessary, as this is a somewhat weak, brittle shrub.  It is not winter hardy, a late spring frost can damage its buds.   It is not as hardy as C. spicata 

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:  Typically insect and disease free.  A slow grower, it can take up to 10 years to reach it full size.

Snow allowed to accumulate on the branches can break the branches.  Burned leaf margins are evident when exposed to high winds.  Yellowing leaves is a sign of chlorosis, not enough chlorophyll is being produced.  It commonly occurs when the soil is too alkaline.

More information on Corylopsis.