Corylopis is a genus comprised of almost 30 species native to Asia in the Hamamelidaceae (witch hazel) family. The genus name is Greek deriving from the words korylos which means hazel and opsis which means "like" or "resemblance" and refers to the fact that the leaves are simliar to that of hazel plants. These deciduous multistemmed shrubs reach 4-6 feet tall and wide depending on the species and blooms with small bright downward arching clusters of fragrant yellow flowers in February to March. Flowers appear before the deeply veined thick leaves. Plant winter hazel in partial shade in loamy acidic well draining soil high in organic matter. These shrubs will not tolerate heavy clay soil. Prune as necessary to maintain shape after flowering, though it is rarely needed. Use as an understory shrub in a woodland or Asian garden, or plant in small groups along a shrub border. It will add late winter or early spring interest to any landscape. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No serious problems. VIDEO created by Andy Pulte for “Landscape Plant Identification, Taxonomy and Morphology” a plant identification course offered by the Department of Plant Sciences, University of Tennessee.
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil texture
High Organic Matter; Loam (Silt); Sand
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage
Available space
3 feet-6 feet
NC region
Coastal; Mountains; Piedmont
Mature size
Height: 4 ft. 0 in. - 6 ft. 0 in. | Width: 4 ft. 0 in. - 6 ft. 0 in.
Maintenance
Low
Canopy layer
3 - Shrub (3-15 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Erect; Multi-stemmed; Open
Texture
Medium
Foliage
Deciduous
Leaf color
Blue; Green
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf arrangement
Alternate
Leaf shape
Cordate; Ovate
Leaf margin
Serrate
Leaf size
3-6 inches long, 1-3 inches wide
Hairs present
Yes
Leaf detail
Blue green or dark green leaves at 2-8 inches long and 1-6 inches wide. They are ovate to cordate with an acute apex, serrated margins and distinctive sunken veining. Fall color is usually yellow but unremarkable.
Fall color
Gold/Yellow; Insignificant
Flower color
Gold/Yellow
Flower value
Fragrant; Showy
Flower form
Raceme
Flower shape
Bell; Funnel
Flower size
1-3 inches
Flower detail
Funnel or bell-shaped bright yellow fragrant flowers occur in arching pendulous racemes with 10-30 flowers and the clusters are 1"-3.5" long. They are yellow with 5 petals and occur in winter.
Bloom time
Winter
Fruit type
Capsule
Fruit size
< 1 inch long, < 1 inch wide
Fruit detail
The fruit is a 2 beaked capsule with 2 shiny black seeds