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Similar but less problematic plants:
Corylopsis spicata Corylopsis spicata
Corylopsis pauciflora is often confused with:
Corylopsis glabrescens leaves
Corylopsis spicata Corylopsis spicata
Plants that fill a similar niche:
Corylopsis glabrescens leaves
Edgeworthia chrysantha leaves and flowers
Magnolia denudata Magnolia denudata

Corylopsis pauciflora

Previously known as:

  • Corylopsis matsudae
Phonetic Spelling
kor-i-LOP-sis pow-si-FLO-al-a
Description

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.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#showy flowers#deciduous#fragrant flowers#slow growing#yellow flowers#frost tender#winter interest#year-round interest#multistemmed#cutting garden#flowers early spring#bird friendly#butterfly friendly#winter garden#clay soils intolerant#dense growth#broadleaf#fall color
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#showy flowers#deciduous#fragrant flowers#slow growing#yellow flowers#frost tender#winter interest#year-round interest#multistemmed#cutting garden#flowers early spring#bird friendly#butterfly friendly#winter garden#clay soils intolerant#dense growth#broadleaf#fall color
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Corylopsis
    Species:
    pauciflora
    Family:
    Hamamelidaceae
    Uses (Ethnobotany):
    Landscape
    Life Cycle:
    Woody
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Seed
    Stem Cutting
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Korea, Japan, Taiwan
    Wildlife Value:
    Birds and small mammals nest in the branches.
    Play Value:
    Attractive Flowers
    Attracts Pollinators
    Buffer
    Easy to Grow
    Fragrance
    Wildlife Cover/Habitat
    Dimensions:
    Height: 4 ft. 0 in. - 6 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 4 ft. 0 in. - 6 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Shrub
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Habit/Form:
    Dense
    Mounding
    Multi-stemmed
    Spreading
    Growth Rate:
    Slow
    Maintenance:
    Low
    Texture:
    Medium
  • 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
    High Organic Matter
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Available Space To Plant:
    3 feet-6 feet
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Fruit Type:
    Capsule
    Fruit Length:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Description:
    The fruits are woody, two valved capsules spherical in shape <1" wide with 2 glossy black seeds.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Cream/Tan
    Gold/Yellow
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Raceme
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Fragrant
    Long-lasting
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Flower Shape:
    Bell
    Flower Petals:
    4-5 petals/rays
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    Fragrant, primrose-yellow flowers borne on 1-2 in. inflorescence in Blooming before the foliage appears, it is the earliest of spring flowers in pendulous racemes with 2-3 per stem, red stamens (C. spicata has many flowers per stem and yellow stamens).
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Leaf Shape:
    Ovate
    Leaf Margin:
    Dentate
    Hairs Present:
    Yes
    Leaf Length:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Width:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Description:
    The emerging bronze leaves become bright green. They range from 1.5"-3" long. They are simple, alternate, with dentate margins, and cordate base. They have very prominent veins. They glaborus on the upper side with hairy veins on the underside. The fall colors are yellow-green to gold.
  • Bark:
    Bark Color:
    Dark Brown
    Red/Burgundy
    Bark Description:
    The smooth bark is a reddish-brown.
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Description:
    Multi-stemmed
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Lawn
    Meadow
    Patio
    Woodland
    Landscape Theme:
    Butterfly Garden
    Cottage Garden
    Cutting Garden
    Pollinator Garden
    Winter Garden
    Design Feature:
    Accent
    Barrier
    Border
    Flowering Tree
    Foundation Planting
    Hedge
    Mass Planting
    Specimen
    Understory Tree
    Attracts:
    Butterflies
    Hummingbirds
    Small Mammals
    Songbirds