Chinese winter hazel is a deciduous shrub that was first described and published in 1913 by Alfred Rehder and Ernest Henry Wilson. It thrives in average, well-drained soil in full sun to partial shade. It can be grown as a shrub or as a small tree. In the wild, heights will reach 8', however, in cultivation, those heights increase to up to 15 feet tall. When grown in full sun, the leaves develop a glaucous, waxy bloom. Pruning should be accomplished immediately after flowering. The leaves on this variety of winter hazel are large and more elongated than other varieties. Clusters of yellow flowers appear early spring. Use in a cottage, cutting or pollinator garden as a hedge or in the back of the border. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: It is generally insect and disease free. Late frost can damage the early blooming flowers. Its weak branches can be damaged by heavy snow loads and strong winds. More information on Corylopsis .
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil texture
Clay; Loam (Silt); Sand
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Moist
Available space
6-feet-12 feet; 12-24 feet
NC region
Coastal; Mountains; Piedmont
Mature size
Height: 8 ft. 0 in. - 15 ft. 0 in. | Width: 8 ft. 0 in. - 10 ft. 0 in.
Growth rate
Medium
Maintenance
Medium
Canopy layer
2 - Understory (15-40 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Erect
Texture
Medium
Foliage
Deciduous
Leaf color
Blue; Gray/Silver; Green
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf arrangement
Alternate
Leaf shape
Cordate; Elliptical; Ovate
Leaf margin
Dentate; Serrate
Leaf value
Showy
Leaf size
3-6 inches long, 3-6 inches wide
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
Ovate to broad-ovate elliptical leaves 2"- 4" long with serrate margins and prominent veins. The upper leaf is dark green, while the underside is a blue-grey. Young leaves have silky hairs. As the leaves age, they become smooth.
Flower color
Gold/Yellow; Green
Flower value
Fragrant; Good Cut
Flower form
Raceme
Flower shape
Bell; Cup
Flower size
1-3 inches
Flower detail
Fragrant soft greenish-yellow flowers appear in late winter to early spring (March-April) 1"-2" across clustered in groups of 8-20 on racemes. They are borne on bare stems.
Bloom time
Spring; Winter
Fruit color
Brown/Copper
Fruit type
Capsule
Fruit size
< 1 inch long, < 1 inch wide
Fruit detail
Each dry capsule contains two glossy black seeds.
Bark color
Dark Brown; Dark Gray
Bark detail
Older growth gray-brown with lenticels
Stem detail
The stems and slender branches are hairy when young. As they age, they become smooth.