About

Corylopsis spicata is a medium-sized deciduous shrub that grows with an open, spreading form, reaching heights of up to 2 meters and widths of 3 meters. Its leaves are broadly ovate with bristled, serrated edges, displaying a blue-green hue on the underside and a bright green color on top. As the leaves unfurl, the buds transition from a dark red to a deep green. In spring, this shrub produces fragrant racemes of pale yellow flowers, measuring between 10 to 15 centimeters in length, with red anthers, which appear on bare stems.

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
1.5-2.5 metres
Spread
2.5-4 metres
Time to full height
10-20 years
Suggested uses
Cottage and informal garden
Native to
China & S Japan
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