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Corylopsis glabrescens

Fragrant Winterhazel

Plant Type:

DECIDUOUS SHRUBS

Corylopsis glabrescens – Fragrant 1” to 1.5” primrose yellow racemes occur in great numbers among the branches in early spring. The 2” to 4” 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! 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. The Fragrant Winterhazel can be a wide-spreading shrub though it can be pruned into a small tree if you desire. 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. Cutting grown.


Height:

8-12 ft

Spread:

8-12 ft

Colors:

Primrose Yellow

Zone:

5 to 8
What is my hardiness zone?

Characteristics and Attributes for Corylopsis glabrescens

Season of Interest (Flowering)

  • Early Spring

Season of Interest (Foliage)

  • Spring / Summer / into Autumn

Interesting Bark

  • Zig Zag

Light

  • Morning Sun / Afternoon Shade
  • Mostly Sunny
  • Dappled Shade

Attributes

  • Specimen
  • Shrub Border
  • Woodland

Growth Rate in the Garden

  • Medium

Soil

  • Fertile

Origins

  • Japan

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.