Chinese Fighazel Sycopsis sinensis
- Phonetic Spelling
- sy-KOP-sis sih-NEN-sis
- Description
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Chinese Fighazel is a broadleaf evergreen shrub or small tree in the witch hazel family. It was introduced by Ernest Wilson in 1901.
It grows 10 to 12 feet tall and wide and has dark, glossy green leaves. It will take on a low canopy, and is suitable as an understory planting. In late winter to early spring clusters of creamy white flowers appear. The flower clusters are less than 1" long. The cluster will contain six to ten stamens with reddish-brown bracts that enclose the inflorescence. It's anthers are yellow with a tinge of orange.
It grows in moist well-drained soils in sun to partial shade. Use as an ornamental tree, for screening, in mass plantings, or as an informal hedge. In colder climates, a thick layer of mulch will add a layer of protection.
This low maintenance plant can be pruned to keep its form. Pruning should be accomplished after flowering to avoid the removal of its current season's flowers
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Typically insect and diseases free.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Sycopsis
- Species:
- sinensis
- Family:
- Hamamelidaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Woody
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Seed
- Stem Cutting
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- China and Taiwan
- Play Value:
- Attractive Flowers
- Buffer
- Colorful
- Screening
- Dimensions:
- Height: 10 ft. 0 in. - 12 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 10 ft. 0 in. - 12 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Shrub
- Tree
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Habit/Form:
- Conical
- Oval
- Rounded
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- 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:
- Clay
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Available Space To Plant:
- 6-feet-12 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 7b, 7a, 8b, 8a, 9b, 9a
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Fruit:
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- The fruit is an egg-shaped capsule.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Spike
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Winter
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- Tufted, petal-less, small yellowish flowers with long red anthers bloom in late winter to early spring.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Glossy
- Leathery
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Lanceolate
- Ovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Serrate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Lustrous, dark green leaves, 2-4" long. Base cuneate or obtuse, margin entire or distally serrate, apex acuminate. The underside is a lighter green.
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Bark:
- Bark Color:
- Dark Gray
- Surface/Attachment:
- Smooth
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Surface:
- Smooth (glabrous)
- Stem Description:
- Young branches with scales, older dark brown and smooth. It grows as a multi-stemmed plant.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Patio
- Small Space
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Cottage Garden
- Design Feature:
- Accent
- Barrier
- Border
- Hedge
- Mass Planting
- Small groups
- Small Tree
- Understory Tree
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Heat
- Urban Conditions
