Corylopsis - Winter Hazel

(Corylop'sis)

DESCRIPTION: This group consists of seven, deciduous shrubs from China, Japan and the eastern Himalayas. Commonly known as Winter Hazel, these easy-to-grow, pretty shrubs produce pendant racemes of fragrant, cup-shaped, yellow flowers, in the spring just before the foliage unfurls. C. glabrescens (Fragrant Winter Hazel) is a medium to large shrub with round, slightly bloomy, leaves. C. pauciflora (Buttercup Winter Hazel) is a slow-growing, compact shrub eventually reaching a width and height of 61/2 feet. Its thin stems are covered with rounded, toothed leaves, 11/2 to 21/2 inches long, which are pink when new. Tassels of fragrant, yellow flowers are produced in early spring. C. veitchiana is an interesting, large shrub with long, bright green, toothed leaves that are purplish when young. Yellow flowers with noticeable red anthers are produced in long racemes. C. willmottiae var. Spring Purple is a beautiful, medium to large shrub covered with pretty, purplish tinted young growths.

POTTING: Winter Hazel need to be grown in acid or neutral, sandy soil, except for C. pauciflora, which can survive in limy soil as long as it's at least 2 feet deep. They should be grown in a location sheltered from cold, drying winds.

PROPAGATION: Seeds may be sown, as soon as ripe, in containers of sandy soil in a cold greenhouse or frame. Cuttings of semi-woody or half-ripe shoots may be inserted in a closed propagating frame, in the summer. The frame may be opened after a few weeks once the cuttings form roots. Branches may also be layered.

VARIETIES: C. glabrescens; C. pauciflora; C. sinensis & var. calvescens; C. spicata; C. veitchiana; C. willmottiae & var. Spring Purple.

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