UW Botanic Gardens Monthly Plant Profile Of Buttercup Winter Hazel

Each month the UW Botanic Gardens' Newsletter, E-Flora, posts in detail about a specific plant, among many other interesting posts about events and general information.

Last month's featured plant was Corylopsis pauciflora cotoneaster or buttercup winter hazel of which there are four plants at the Center for Urban Horticulture in Laurelhurst. 

Here is the posting:

Plant Profile: Corylopsis pauciflora (buttercup winter hazel)

Corylopsis pauciflora is a dense, multistemmed shrub that requires little pruning. This is one of the most charming plants in the witch hazel family, with unique and colorful leaves, attractive and lightly fragrant flowers, fall color and being a good size for smaller gardens. The nodding flowers, found all along each branch, produce an overall effect is very showy in bloom. Flowers can be still be found coming into bloom until May, and in some years it can rebloom in September. Common name: Buttercup winter hazel Family: Hamamelidaceae Location: Buttercup winter hazel can be viewed at both UW Botanic Gardens locations: the Center for Urban Horticulture and the Washington Park Arboretum. At the Center there are four plants. Three (4-05-A, B & C), are espaliered along the west wall of the Northwest Horticultural Society Hall. One young plant (197-15-A) is open grown in the bed north of the Fragrance Garden. At the Arboretum there are five plants. The oldest (2413-40-A) in the old witch hazel family section in grid 6-4E, at the west side of the grove of another witch hazel family member: Sycopsis sinensis (fig hazel). Three plants (636-62-A) are in the Japanese Garden. A young plant (197-15-B) is in the Woodland Garden in grid 31-3E. Origin: Corylopsis pauciflora is native to Japan and Taiwan. It was introduced to western horticulture by the Veitch & Sons Nursery of England, from Japan. Most plants in cultivation are thought to be from Japanese plants. Height and spread: Buttercup winter hazel will reach 4-6’ high and wide in time. It performs well in part shade and in woodland settings. However, in the Pacific Northwest it will tolerate full sun as long as it is protected from freezing winds and reflected heat. Hardiness: Cold hardy to USDA Zone 6 Read more about this month's featured plant.