James Burghardt
Family
Hamamelidaceae
Botanical Name
Corylopsis pauciflora
Plant Common Name
Buttercup Winterhazel
General Description
Brightening the early spring garden, buttercup winterhazel is a tidy deciduous shrub that produces hundreds of pendent, fragrant yellow blossoms on its bare brown branches. It has a pleasing rounded to lightly spreading habit making it well suited to more formal gardens and smaller garden spaces. It is slow-growing and originates from the slopes and forests of Taiwan and Japan.
The slender, zig-zagging branches bear a profusion of short, drooping clusters, comprised of around five yellow and fragrant blossoms. These appear before the foliage in spring. The oval leaves that follow are satiny dark green with a bronze tint and toothed edges. In autumn they turn golden yellow. The fruits are dry, tan capsules.
Grow buttercup winterhazel in partial shade and slightly acid to neutral soil that is fertile and moist but well-drained. Provide more shade or water in areas with hot summers. Amend heavy soils with organic matter to make it more friable. Refrain from planting this shrub in windy locales.
Buttercup winterhazel is sweet and much underused. It's the perfect size for an accent shrub in a mixed border or along a foundation. In a woodland setting it looks great planted among early spring ephemerals, such as bloodroot, trilliums and Dutchman's-breeches.
Characteristics
-
AHS Heat Zone
9 - 6
-
USDA Hardiness Zone
6 - 8
-
Sunset Zone
4, 5, 6, 7, 14, 15, 16, 17
-
Plant Type
Shrub
-
Sun Exposure
Partial Sun, Partial Shade
-
Height
4'-6' / 1.2m - 1.8m
-
Width
6'-8' / 1.8m - 2.4m
-
Bloom Time
Early Spring, Spring, Late Winter
-
Native To
China, Japan
Growing Conditions
-
Soil pH
Acidic, Neutral
-
Soil Drainage
Well Drained
-
Soil type
Loam
-
Growth Rate
Slow
-
Water Requirements
Average Water
-
Habit
Oval/Rounded
-
Seasonal Interest
Spring, Summer, Fall
Ornamental Features
-
Flower Interest
Showy
-
Flower Color
Yellow, Light Yellow
-
Fruit Color
Tan, Sandy Brown
-
Foliage Color (Spring)
Green, Bronze
-
Foliage Color (Summer)
Green
-
Foliage Color (Fall)
Yellow, Gold
-
Bark Color
Sandy Brown
-
Fragrant Flowers
Yes
-
Fragrant Fruit
No
-
Fragrant Foliage
No
-
Bark or Stem Fragrant
No
-
Flower Petal Number
Single
-
Repeat Bloomer
No
-
Showy Fruit
No
-
Edible Fruit
No
-
Showy Foliage
Yes
-
Foliage Texture
Medium
-
Foliage Sheen
Matte
-
Evergreen
No
-
Showy Bark
No
Special Characteristics
-
Bark Texture
Smooth
-
Usage
Feature Plant, Foundation, Hedges, Mixed Border, Topiary / Bonsai / Espalier
-
Sharp or Has Thorns
No
-
Invasive
No
-
Self-Sowing
No
