Spike Winter Hazel Corylopsis spicata
Other Common Name(s):
- 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
- Profile Video:
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Aurea'
- 'Golden Spring'
Bronzed new growth. - 'Ogon'
- 'Aurea'
- 'Aurea', 'Golden Spring', 'Ogon'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Aurea'
- 'Golden Spring'
Bronzed new growth. - 'Ogon'
- 'Aurea'
- 'Aurea', 'Golden Spring', 'Ogon'
- Tags:
-
-
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.
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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
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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
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Fruit:
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
- Fruit Description:
- The fruit is a two celled capsule with each cell containing 2 seeds.
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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.
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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.
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Bark:
- Bark Color:
- Dark Brown
- Red/Burgundy
- Bark Description:
- Dark brown and a bit red
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Form:
- Zig Zags
- Stem Description:
- Thin, flexible, multistemmed and arching.
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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
