The pendent, pale yellow blooms of this small shrub grace the Woodland Garden.
Corylopsis spicata is a member of the witch hazel family (Hamamelidaceae), and enjoys humus-rich, preferably acidic conditions. It will grow to 2m in height and has an open habit. The flowers emerge from yellow-green bracts to produce a drooping raceme, each comprising several individual flowers with red-purple anthers. A Japanese species, Corylopsis spicata is a welcome addition to the spring garden, having been introduced to our gardens by the acclaimed Veitch nursery in the 1960’s. The genus takes its name from the resemblance of the leaves to those of the hazel (Corylus), with the Greek korylos meaning hazel, and opsis meaning like, while the specific epithet spicata means spiked, referring to the pendent spike of six to twelve flowers.