Fragrant winter hazel or Chinese winter hazel is an upright, multi-stemmed, rounded deciduous shrub growing 10 to 15 feet tall and equally as wide. In early spring, this shrub displays 1 to 2-inch-long racemes of yellowish-green flowers with orange anthers. In spring and summer, its leaves are dark green, but in the fall, they are in variable shades of yellow. This shrub is native to South-Central and Southeastern China and Myanmar. It is a member of the witch hazel family (Hamamelidaceae). The specific epithet, sinensis, means Chinese. Best grown in organically rich, moist, well-drained, acidic soils in full sun to partial shade. This shrub prefers a sheltered site. Its flower buds may be damaged by early spring frost. Typically, it is winter hardy in zones 6 to 8. Pruning is best done soon after flowering has ended. Propagate this shrub by using seeds, softwood cuttings, or layering. This fragrant flowering shrub has early spring and fall interest. Consider using the Chinese winter hazel as a border planting or in a woodland garden. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No significant insect pests or diseases. Hot afternoon sun can cause leaf scorch. 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
High Organic Matter; Loam (Silt); Sand
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0); Alkaline (>8.0); Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Moist
Available space
12-24 feet
NC region
Coastal; Mountains; Piedmont
Mature size
Height: 10 ft. 0 in. - 15 ft. 0 in. | Width: 10 ft. 0 in. - 15 ft. 0 in.
Growth rate
Rapid
Maintenance
Low
Canopy layer
2 - Understory (15-40 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Erect; Multi-stemmed; Open; Rounded
Texture
Medium
Foliage
Deciduous
Leaf color
Blue; Green
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf arrangement
Alternate
Leaf shape
Oblong; Obovate
Leaf margin
Dentate
Leaf value
Showy
Leaf size
3-6 inches long, 3-6 inches wide
Hairs present
Yes
Leaf detail
The leaves are dark green on the upper surface, 2 to 3.5 inches long, obovate to oblong, cordate at the base, and pointed at the apex. The margins are dentate, and the undersides of the leaf are downy and glaucous. Fall color is usually an unexceptional yellow.
Fall color
Gold/Yellow; Insignificant
Flower color
Gold/Yellow; Green; Orange
Flower value
Fragrant; Showy
Flower form
Raceme
Flower size
< 1 inch
Flower detail
The flowers are arranged in hanging clusters of pale yellow blooms with orange anthers and appear in early spring, from March to April. Twelve to eighteen small, mildly fragrant flowers form a drooping raceme, measuring 1.5 to 2 inches long. Each flower measures about 1/3 inch long. The calyx is greenish-yellow, and the floral bracts are hairy.
Bloom time
Spring
Fruit type
Capsule
Fruit size
< 1 inch long, < 1 inch wide
Fruit detail
The fruit is a hairy capsule, measuring 1/3 inch in diameter and bearing two small seeds.
Stem detail
Multi-stemmed. Young stems and buds may be smooth or hairy.
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Non-native
Origin
South China and Northern Myanmar
Distribution
Native: China South-Central, China Southeast, and Myanmar
Play value
Colorful
Food & Medicine
Harvest time
Summer
Fruit type
Capsule
Landscape Use
Landscape location
Coastal; Naturalized Area; Woodland
Landscape theme
Winter Garden
Design feature
Accent; Border; Flowering Tree; Hedge
Garden tags
#deciduous #showy flowers #well-drained soil #full sun tolerant #shrub #fragrant flowers #winter interest #red stems #flowers early spring #yellow flowers #hairy leaves #upright form #spring interest #flowers late winter #partial shade tolerant #vigorous #acidic soils tolerant #woodland #HS304 #deciduous shrub