Winter Hazel or Corylopsis
Corylopsis species (HAMAMELIDACEAE)
Planting and Growing Winter Hazel
You’ll find everything you need to know to plant and grow winter hazel or corylopsis in the accompanying table’s tabs:
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- Flowers, foliage, caplke seedpods, and seeds of winter hazel or corylopsis
- Growing conditions for winter hazel or corylopsis
- When and where to plant winter hazel or corylopsis
- How to plant winter hazel or corylopsis
- How to shape, prune and control growth of winter hazel or corylopsis
- Watering, fertilizing, and care of winter hazel or corylopsis
- Landscape uses of winter hazel or corylopsis
- Pest and disease control for winter hazel or corylopsis
Growing Winter Hazel
About 10 species of graceful, slow-growing, spreading, open, deciduous shrubs, 6–20 ft. (1.8–6 m) tall, depending on species, with red-tinged buds turning to smooth, bright green, broad, oval, pointed, toothed leaves, to 4 in. (10 cm) long, turning yellow in autumn.
Commonly cultivated species include fragrant winter hazel, Corylopsis glabrescens; buttercup winter hazel, Corylopsis pauciflora; Chinese winter hazel, Corylopsis sinensis; spike winterhazel, Corylopsis spicata; and Veitch’s winter hazel, Corylopsis veitchiana.
Winter Hazel Planting and Care Guide
Flowers and Seeds
Many bell- or tube-shaped, yellow flowers, to 3/4-in. (19-mm) long, in spring, form small, dangling clusters with caplike seedpods in summer. Flowers appear before leaves.
Best Climates
U.S.D.A. Plant Hardiness Zones 4–9, depending on species; ground hardy, zones 7–9.
Soil Type and Fertility
Moist, well-drained soil. Fertility: Rich. Add acidic leaf mold. 5.5–6.5 pH.
Where and How to Plant
Full sun to partial shade. Space 6–10 ft. (1.8–3 m) apart, depending on species.
Proper Care
Easy. Keep evenly moist. Fertilize annually in spring. Mulch, zones 4–6. Prune after bloom. Protect from sun in hot climates, wind and frost in zones 4–7. Propagate by cuttings, division, layering, seed.
About This Species
Good choice for backgrounds, borders, walls in cottage, natural, woodland gardens. Pest and disease resistant.