Chinese Winter Hazel Corylopsis platypetala
Other Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- kor-i-LOP-sis plat-ee-PET-uh-la
- Description
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Chinese winter hazel is a deciduous shrub that was first described and published in 1913 by Alfred Rehder and Ernest Henry Wilson. It thrives in average, well-drained soil in full sun to partial shade. It can be grown as a shrub or as a small tree. In the wild, heights will reach 8', however, in cultivation, those heights increase to up to 15 feet tall.
When grown in full sun, the leaves develop a glaucous, waxy bloom. Pruning should be accomplished immediately after flowering.
The leaves on this variety of winter hazel are large and more elongated than other varieties.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: It is generally insect and disease free. Late frost can damage the early blooming flowers. Its weak branches can be damaged by heavy snow loads and strong winds.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Corylopsis
- Species:
- platypetala
- Family:
- Hamamelidaceae
- Uses (Ethnobotany):
- Hedges
- Life Cycle:
- Woody
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Layering
- Seed
- Stem Cutting
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- China, South-Central and Southeast
- Wildlife Value:
- Nectar from the flower attracts bees.
- Play Value:
- Attractive Flowers
- Attracts Pollinators
- Buffer
- Fragrance
- Screening
- Dimensions:
- Height: 8 ft. 0 in. - 15 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 8 ft. 0 in. - 10 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Shrub
- Tree
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Medium
- Texture:
- Medium
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Available Space To Plant:
- 6-feet-12 feet
- 12-24 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- Each dry capsule contains two glossy black seeds.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Green
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Raceme
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- Good Cut
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Winter
- Flower Shape:
- Bell
- Cup
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- 1-3 inches
- Flower Description:
- Fragrant soft greenish-yellow flowers appear in late winter to early spring (March-April) 1"-2" across clustered in groups of 8-20 on racemes. They are borne on bare stems.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Blue
- Gray/Silver
- Green
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Cordate
- Elliptical
- Ovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Dentate
- Serrate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Ovate to broad-ovate elliptical leaves 2"- 4" long with serrate margins and prominent veins. The upper leaf is dark green, while the underside is a blue-grey. Young leaves have silky hairs. As the leaves age, they become smooth.
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Bark:
- Bark Color:
- Dark Brown
- Dark Gray
- Bark Description:
- Older growth gray-brown with lenticels
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Surface:
- Smooth (glabrous)
- Stem Description:
- The stems and slender branches are hairy when young. As they age, they become smooth.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Patio
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Cottage Garden
- Cutting Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Hedge
- Attracts:
- Bees
