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Corylopsis spicata 'Aurea'
Spike Winterhazel
Plant Type:
DECIDUOUS SHRUBSCorylopsis spicata 'Aurea' – The approximately 2” to 4” long by 2” to 3” wide golden leaves are a heavily corrugated. Though it is said that this plant is more content in open shade we have found at the northern end of its range when grown in more sun that the gold color is more pronounced strongly showing-off the corrugations in each leaf. It is very beautiful in either condition. This golden leaf form of Spike Winterhazel with dark brown twiggy zig-zag branching patterns in a wild array supports enormous quantities of 1” to 2” racemes of soft primrose yellow flowers in early spring. This may be the very same form as 'Ogon' and is virtually indistinguishable from 'Golden Spring' which is patented – Lord knows why if it's virtually indistinguishable from the form(s) that are not. Don't get me started. 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.
Characteristics and Attributes for Corylopsis spicata 'Aurea'
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
- Shrub Border
- Specimen
- Hedgerow
Growth Rate in the Garden
- Moderately Fast
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.