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Key characteristics

Family: Hamamelidaceae
Height: 3 to 6 feet
Width: 4 to 6 feet
Flower color: Pale yellow lightly fragrant bell-shaped flowers borne in short drooping clusters
Foliage color: Soft medium green rounded leaves with lightly serrated edges
Bloom time: Late winter to early spring
Light: Partial shade to light full sun
Water: Average; evenly moist well drained soil
Maintenance: Low; prune lightly after flowering to shape plants and remove any damaged or crossing branches
Growing zone: USDA zones 5 to 8
Wildlife: Bees and other early season pollinating insects

Shrubs

Corylopsis pauciflora

Buttercup Winter Hazel

Corylopsis pauciflora produces dangling clusters of soft yellow flowers in late winter to early spring, each bloom shaped like a tiny bell with delicate fringed petals. The flowers hang from bare branches before the foliage appears, bringing gentle color at the end of winter. After flowering, rounded leaves unfold in fresh green tones with softly textured surfaces and lightly toothed edges, forming a graceful canopy through the growing season.

Light

Partial shade to light full sun

Water

Average; evenly moist well drained soil

Bloom time

Late winter to early spring

Find this plant

Works well in

Shade Gardens
Woodland Gardens
Under Trees
Pollinator Gardens

Companion plants

Pieris · Hakone grass · Bamboo · Viburnum · Snowdrop · Bergenia

Design tip

Soft yellow flowers appearing on bare branches can illuminate a woodland garden before most surrounding plants begin growing. A position near darker evergreen foliage makes the delicate blooms easier to appreciate, while spring bulbs nearby can echo their color and extend the early-season display.