WINTER HAZEL

These delightful Asian natives are valued for sweet-scented, bell-shaped, soft yellow flowers that hang in short, chainlike clusters on bare branches in early spring. Foliage that follows is often tinged pink; it later turns bright green. Toothed, nearly round leaves somewhat resemble those of hazelnut (Corylus); fall color varies from yellow-green to a good clear yellow. Rather open structure with attractive, delicate branching pattern. Give same soil conditions as you would rhododendrons. Grow in wind-sheltered location in shrub border or at edge of woodland. Not favored by deer.

fragrant winter hazel

corylopsis glabrescens

• Hardiest species.
• To 815 feet high and wide.
• Can be trained as a small tree.
• Flower clusters are 11 inches long.

buttercup winter hazel

corylopsis pauciflora

• Dainty habit to 46 feet high and wide.
• Blossom clusters are 1 inches long, each containing two or three blooms.

corylopsis sinensis

• A variable species.
• The typical form is a spreading shrub to 15 feet tall and wide, bearing crowded flower spikes to 2 inches long.
• Variety Corylopsis s.
• sinensis (C.
• willmottiae) has velvety blue-green leaves, hairy leafstalks, and flower clusters to 3 inches long.
• Its selection 'Spring Purple' has purplish young stems that mature to green.
• Corylopsis s.
• calvescens (C.
• platypetala) has smooth leaf surfaces and almost hairless leafstalks.

spike winter hazel

corylopsis spicata

• To 8 feet high, 10 feet wide.
• New growth is purple, maturing to bluish green.
• Each 1- to 2 inches-long flower cluster holds 6 to 12 blossoms.
• The showiest winter hazel in bloom.
• Golden Spring has bright yellow new growth, with a touch of red and yellow, turning to chartreuse in midsummer and orange and yellow in fall.

corylopsis 'Winterthur

• US, MS, LS, CS; USDA 6-9.
• To 12 feet tall and 15 feet wide, this hybrid can be grown as a large shrub or small tree if trained.
• Heat tolerant but looks best in warm regions when it has light shade.
• Gold fall color.