Fragrant Winter Hazel Corylopsis sinensis
Other Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- kor-i-LOP-sis sih-NEN-sis
- Description
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Fragrant winter hazel or Chinese winter hazel is an upright, multi-stemmed, rounded deciduous shrub growing 10 to 15 feet tall and equally as wide. In early spring, this shrub displays 1 to 2-inch-long racemes of yellowish-green flowers with orange anthers. In spring and summer, its leaves are dark green, but in the fall, they are in variable shades of yellow. This shrub is native to South-Central and Southeastern China and Myanmar. It is a member of the witch hazel family (Hamamelidaceae). The specific epithet, sinensis, means Chinese.
Best grown in organically rich, moist, well-drained, acidic soils in full sun to partial shade. This shrub prefers a sheltered site. Its flower buds may be damaged by early spring frost. Typically, it is winter hardy in zones 6 to 8. Pruning is best done soon after flowering has ended. Propagate this shrub by using seeds, softwood cuttings, or layering.
This fragrant flowering shrub has early spring and fall interest. Consider using the Chinese winter hazel as a border planting or in a woodland garden.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No significant insect pests or diseases. Hot afternoon sun can cause leaf scorch.
- See this plant in the following landscape :
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Corylopsis sinensis var. calvescens
leaf upper surface dark green, underside bluish-gray either smooth or hairy, 2 inch long yellow racemes - Corylopsis sinensis var. sinensis
spreading, open habit, ovate leaves with downy undersides, and light yellow flowers in a 3.5-inch long raceme - 'Spring Purple'
New growth is plum colored
- Corylopsis sinensis var. calvescens
- Corylopsis sinensis var. calvescens, Corylopsis sinensis var. sinensis, 'Spring Purple'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- Corylopsis sinensis var. calvescens
leaf upper surface dark green, underside bluish-gray either smooth or hairy, 2 inch long yellow racemes - Corylopsis sinensis var. sinensis
spreading, open habit, ovate leaves with downy undersides, and light yellow flowers in a 3.5-inch long raceme - 'Spring Purple'
New growth is plum colored
- Corylopsis sinensis var. calvescens
- Corylopsis sinensis var. calvescens, Corylopsis sinensis var. sinensis, 'Spring Purple'
- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Corylopsis
- Species:
- sinensis
- Family:
- Hamamelidaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Woody
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Layering
- Seed
- Stem Cutting
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- South China and Northern Myanmar
- Distribution:
- Native: China South-Central, China Southeast, and Myanmar
- Play Value:
- Colorful
- Dimensions:
- Height: 10 ft. 0 in. - 15 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 10 ft. 0 in. - 15 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Shrub
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Multi-stemmed
- Open
- Rounded
- Growth Rate:
- Rapid
- Maintenance:
- Low
- 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:
- High Organic Matter
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Alkaline (>8.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12-24 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
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Fruit:
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Summer
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- The fruit is a hairy capsule, measuring 1/3 inch in diameter and bearing two small seeds.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Green
- Orange
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Raceme
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- The flowers are arranged in hanging clusters of pale yellow blooms with orange anthers and appear in early spring, from March to April. Twelve to eighteen small, mildly fragrant flowers form a drooping raceme, measuring 1.5 to 2 inches long. Each flower measures about 1/3 inch long. The calyx is greenish-yellow, and the floral bracts are hairy.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Blue
- Green
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Insignificant
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Oblong
- Obovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Dentate
- Hairs Present:
- Yes
- Leaf Length:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Description:
- The leaves are dark green on the upper surface, 2 to 3.5 inches long, obovate to oblong, cordate at the base, and pointed at the apex. The margins are dentate, and the undersides of the leaf are downy and glaucous. Fall color is usually an unexceptional yellow.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Form:
- Zig Zags
- Stem Surface:
- Hairy (pubescent)
- Stem Description:
- Multi-stemmed. Young stems and buds may be smooth or hairy.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Coastal
- Naturalized Area
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Winter Garden
- Design Feature:
- Accent
- Border
- Flowering Tree
- Hedge
