About

'Corylopsis sinensis var. sinensis 'Spring Purple' is a sizable, broad shrub that can reach heights of up to 5 meters. Its leaves are broadly oval, displaying a purple hue when they first emerge. As they mature, the foliage transitions to a blue-green underside and a dark green top, with the potential for autumnal transformations into orange and purple tones. In spring, the plant produces fragrant yellow blossoms that hang in racemes, measuring up to 8 centimeters long, appearing on the bare branches before the leaves develop.

About the genus

Corylopsis consists of deciduous shrubs or small trees characterized by simple, serrated leaves. In early spring, they produce nodding racemes filled with small, typically fragrant, bell-shaped flowers that are pale yellow in color.

Growing conditions

Sunlight
Partial shade
Soil type
Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH
Acid
Soil moisture
Moist but well-drained, Well-drained
Aspect
East-facing, South-facing, West-facing
Exposure
Sheltered
UK hardiness
H5

Plant details

Plant type
Shrubs
Habit
Bushy
Foliage
Deciduous
Height
4-8 metres
Spread
2.5-4 metres
Time to full height
10-20 years
Suggested uses
Cottage and informal garden
Fragrance
Flower

Care notes

Cultivation
Will grow in acidic soil in a shady position but may need some protection as late frosts can damage the flowers
Pruning
Pruning group 1 immediately after flowering
Propagation
Propagate by seed sown in containers in autumn in an open frame, softwood cuttings in summer or layering in autumn
Pest resistance
Generally pest-free
Disease resistance
May be susceptible to honey fungus in gardens where it is present but insufficient data to determine degree of susceptibility