Corylopsis glabrescens 'Longwood Chimes'

Fragrant Winterhazel

Plant Type:

DECIDUOUS SHRUBS

Corylopsis glabrescens Longwood Chimes' – This selection of Fragrant Winterhazel flaunts an extravagant display of 1.5” to 2.25" primrose yellow racemes dangling among the branches in early spring when daffodils are peak. (They happen to be memorable in combination.) The flowers on this selection are longer and, therefore, showier as compared to the straight species. The fragrance of the flowers is also superior. The 2” to 4” leaves are rounded and come to a point with attractive creases throughout. Leaves occur at the points in the stems where a zig ends and a zag begins – all in all a very smart and handsome arrangement. Foliage in autumn picks up bright yellow tones as well. 'Longwood Chimes' was selected at the famous Longwood Gardens after careful comparative study. It is worthy and beautiful for those who have the room to include it in a landscape. It would be excellent as a stand alone, a component in a shrub border, as an element in a part shade woodland garden. But plant it with daffodils... hellebores work, too! Part, dappled to open shade in fertile ground. At the northern end of the range some protection from the north may be beneficial in an especially cold winter... then again the climate is changing. Plant more green and help save the planet from the greedy and corrupt. Established potted shrub from cutting.


C. glabrescens and C. gotoana may actually be one in the same. Though we are offering them as distinct species the differences between the two are quite minor and taxonomists may decide not worthy of separate classification. We leave it to the taxonomists and scientists to figure it out.


Height:

8-12 ft

Spread:

8-12 ft

Colors:

Primrose Yellow
Item Description Price  
CORYGLAB Corlyopsis glabrescens 'Longwood Chimes' (5 inch Square x 6 inch Tall - true 2 quarts / 1.8927 liters) $34.00


Characteristics and Attributes for Corylopsis glabrescens 'Longwood Chimes'

Season of Interest (Flowering)

  • Late Winter / Spring
  • Early Spring

Season of Interest (Foliage)

  • Spring / Summer / Autumn

Interesting Bark

  • Zig Zag

Autumn Interest

  • Autumn Leaf Color

Nature Attraction

  • Honey Bees & Native Bees
  • Deer Resistant

Light

  • Morning Sun / Afternoon Shade
  • Dappled Shade
  • Shade

Attributes

  • Hedge
  • Fragrant
  • Woodland
  • Natural Garden
  • Specimen
  • Accent
  • Shrub Border

Growth Rate in the Garden

  • Medium

Soil

  • Organic
  • Fertile
  • Humus Laden
  • Draining

Origins

  • Garden Origin

Propagated By

  • Cutting Grown

Genus Overview: Corylopsis

Winterhazels. I loved seeing them in flower when visiting the Brooklyn Botanic Garden years ago when I lived in New York City. With primrose yellow racemes like a fantastical collection of dangle earrings among all branches they are a delight to behold in early spring. We have ours planted in open to part shade on a gentle slope facing the south and east with under cover of Yoshino cherries adjacent to our Daffodil Walk (with which they simultaneously bloom). Most years they flower beautifully for us getting “hit” only when we have a monster frost that occurs during the bloom cycle. Well, gardening is often an addictive form of Russian roulette! My personal feeling about these and, indeed, all genera in the Hamamelidaceae is that they are garden aristocrats – well-behaved and quietly handsome throughout the growing season, beautiful in bloom and many with good fall color. And though understated in the winter landscape they remain handsome year round… have I said too much!??

All our Winterhazels are cutting grown. Some species are easier from cutting than others. We're always likely to have, for instance, C. spicata selections but not always C. sinensis which we sometimes have trouble getting through the winter. Why? Well, we're clueless!

In northern climes spring planting is highly recommended; also, winter protection is strongly recommended for 2 to 3 years until the shrub truly establishes at the far northern end of its range.